Common Descent over Time

Non-African humans share, studies show;
it is the Neanderthal DNA.
Common descent over time, changing slow.

Neanderthals lived in Europe, we know;
fossilized finds have a lot to convey.
Non-African humans share, studies show.

Roots of Caucasian are sure apropos;
Neanderthals often lacked light of day.
Common descent over time, changing slow.

Lack of sunlight keeps melanin* in tow;
that is the skin pigment we all display.
Non-African humans share, studies show.

Throughout the north their descendants would go;
from northern Russia to base of Pompeii.
Common descent over time, changing slow.

In the past they hunted mammoth in snow;
now we have lunch at the local cafe.
Non-African humans share, studies show;
common descent over time, changing slow.

* melanin \ˈme-lə-nən\

19 Lines (Villanelle)
Writer’s Cramp
August 23, 2014

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Notes:

Evolution is defined as the change in gene frequency over time.  The cell’s
genes (chromosomes) are made up of DNA, (deoxyribonucleic acid), which
is the master molecule of all life.  Structurally, it is the same for all life, only the
bases, or “letters” are different in arrangement (spelling), which is why there is
such diversity in life.  Natural selection is the process by which evolution is driven.
 
We share common descent with all life at the molecular level.
More recently (in evolutionary terms), we share a common ancestor,
(common descent) with other hominids, like baboons and gorillas.
People often object of the thought of, “coming from an ape or a monkey."
This, however, is a fallacy.  We did not come from either; rather, we share
a common ancestor (which is now extinct), as did the Neanderthals, who
are also now extinct.  Extinction is part of evolution.

As homo sapiens, we have a rich diversity, and skin color is just
one (as I alluded to in the poem.)  Blacks originated in Africa, and
have dark skin because they evolved in the equatorial region, where the
sun is very intense. Thus, their skin developed a protective mechanism
wherein the skin pigment (the melanin) increased significantly.
The Neanderthals lived in the northern climates, with less sunlight,
(they "...often lacked light of day.") and therefore did not develop
darker skin.