Hominids and the Ancients

[Zarpaulek]

The Ancients are supposed to have come to Earth about 300,000 years ago and left just a couple millennia later, correct?

In that time period there were multiple species or subspecies of human, including not just Homo sapiens neanderthalensis but probably H heidelbergensis and even some remnant populations of H erectus.

The oldest Denisovan remains only go back 285,000 years ago though. While the earliest anatomically modern human remains appear to be 315,000 years old.

Makes one wonder how diverse interstellar humaniti could be, are there some populations that qualify as entirely separate species? Or could the Ancients have played a role in creating modern Solomani?

 

[MarkAlexander]

Interesting. Lots of potential for creating new versions of Humaniti, or even a "planet of the apes".

 

[G'Naakbusters]

The Suerrat, the Kargol, and the Ziadd are all Neanderthal-descended.

The Luriani are considered a distinct human species (though I think that's due to the Ancients' alterations, not a distinct base ancestry).

Most interestingly...

There was a race introduced in a T4 product, quite obscure, the Vrast (I've speculated on linking them to illustrations of an unnamed Human minor race in some Megatraveller materials):

https://wiki.travellerrpg.com/Vrast

Talk:Vrast - Traveller

wiki.travellerrpg.com

They are all but explicitly stated to be non-human but hominid, and saved from extinction by transplanting.

 

[GabrielGABFonseca]

My inner nerd is whispering to me, 'wouldn't it be cool to make a cladistics tree showing how all of the different branches of humaniti are related?'

But my inner nerd has ADHD and is forgetting I have JTAS articles to finish writing before the submission deadline, an exam next week, and on top of that my usual work.

 

[MonsterX]

Homo floresiensis existed up to 50000 years ago. Those could make interesting Ancient Aliens transplants.

 

[Condottiere]

They have to stand up for themselves.

 

[Tom B]

My inner nerd is whispering to me, 'wouldn't it be cool to make a cladistics tree showing how all of the different branches of humaniti are related?'

But my inner nerd has ADHD and is forgetting I have JTAS articles to finish writing before the submission deadline, an exam next week, and on top of that my usual work.

Yes yes yes. Obviously after the exam. And showing which ones are interfertile (not a real word but I hope everyone understands what I mean)

 

[WHULorigan]

Yes yes yes. Obviously after the exam. And showing which ones are interfertile (not a real word but I hope everyone understands what I mean)

Actually it is a real word. And yes, I understand as well.

• Collins English Dictionary: Interfertile

 

[Vormaerin]

For what it is worth, T5 specifies that the Ancients took samples of early sapiens, erectus, rhodesiensis, and neanderthalensis.

 

[Fresnel]

On a side note: If you want ideas for possible human variants - check out Ursula K Le Guin's Hainish Cycle.

 

[Jame Rowe]

Is there a book with stats for the Luriani in it?

 

[Geir]

Is there a book with stats for the Luriani in it?

There's a first edition book:

Minor Alien Module 1: Luriani ebook

Minor Alien Module 1: Luriani The Luriani are a race of contradictions. Most outsiders are struck by the extreme level of politeness in their society and apparent calm demeanour, only to be shocked by a sudden outburst of passion. They are a people with n

www.mongoosepublishing.com