Neanderthals : Human Evolution

 

Neanderthals : Human Evolution

Who were Neanderthals?

They were first appeared around 200,000 years ago and thrived for over a hundred thousand years, then mysteriously died out. Ever since the discovery of their bones, lingering questions remain: were they a separate species, or are we related to them? Who were they? 

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The fossil records unmistakably revealed that our earliest ancestors first appeared in Africa around 4 million years ago. One of their direct ascendants known as homo-Erectus (the man who walks upright) eventually migrated from the African homeland to Asia and Europe. In Europe, they evolved into Neanderthals. 

 

How did Neanderthals use to survive?

To survive the bitterly cold climate conditions, repeated glaciations, and ice age, Neanderthals must have been resourceful and inventive creatures, perhaps the first human to wear animal skin clothing. Researchers have clear evidence of Neanderthals hunting from uncovering sharp wooden spears. They likely eat some amount of meat raw but they also cooked it in domesticated fire, sticking the meat on a stick and roasted it.

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What did Neanderthals look like?

Unlike modern humans, Neanderthal’s skull was flatter and less doomed shaped. They had a long, low skull with characteristics of a prominent brow ridge above their eyes. They had a very pronounced nose and also the absence of a prominent chin. Neanderthals had strong, muscular bodies, wide hips, and shoulders. Some researchers argue that this physique also gave the Neanderthals greater power in their arms and legs for close-range ambush during hunting. Neanderthals were about two-three times stronger than an average modern human in good physical conditions. Researchers have clear evidence of Neanderthals hunting from uncovering sharp wooden spears. 

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In 1908 the first almost complete skeleton was found. The bones were those of an elderly male. The knock-kneed form of his legs and a misshapen big toe were not recognized as a physical defect. The research led us to believe that all Neanderthals stood awkwardly in a huddled bent-over fashion. But the later findings contradicted this theory as the first scientist did not realize that the remains found were those of an old man who was crippled by arthritis. Contrary to long-held belief we now know that the average Neanderthal was not only physically okay but probably a very intelligent being. Neanderthals used tools for activities like hunting and sewing.

Did Neanderthals use to speak? 

It is very difficult to determine whether Neanderthals had spoken language but in 1983, the first intact Neanderthal hyoid bone was found i.e. they did have similar vocal anatomy as a modern-day human, But their level of behavioral complexity was far less than what we see in modern human, so it could be that their language was a lot simpler than a modern human.

 

Their beliefs

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The Neanderthals were the first people to whom we have evidence of the burial of the dead. No other primates, and no earlier human species, had ever practiced this sophisticated and symbolic behavior. Flints and stone tools, animal horns, and flowers were also buried with the body. Scientist believes that these are direct evidence of their belief system of an afterlife. Perhaps the Neanderthals were the first to recognize the deity or god, we may never know.

How Neanderthals women were treated?

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Neanderthal women are very robust; they undergo as much stress as males. There is surprising evidence that Neanderthals had low regard for women and treated them poorly. Anthropologist thinks this is true because the male Neanderthals never bothered to bury female Neanderthals. Even if they were buried, Neanderthals never gave them grave goods that could help them in the afterlife, unlike men.

Why did Neanderthals go extinct?

First truly modern humans or homo-sapiens started to emerge in the mainland of Europe. Now the question arises that how did Neanderthals react to the first modern human who was now there to claim the territory previously occupied by the Neanderthals alone? Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons could have interacted in 3 different ways: - 1) avoidance-they could have avoided each other, 2) interbreeding- they could have established a relationship in which they could breed, and 3) conflict-one group wins and exterminate the other. The evidence was found that the Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons lived alongside one another. They found the remains of both of them in the same country, within a short geographical distance.

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But we cannot understand humane evolution only by looking at the fossils; you have to learn about the behavior of these people. What if antagonism arises? Who would have won? Neanderthals were strong but the Cro-Magnons possessed the technological edge, they had far more sophisticated weapons. Anthropologists knew that these species lived close to one another still unknown whether their relationship was one of conflict or mutual interaction. Some researchers think that Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons have been established to be tolerant to one another but few researchers do not agree with this. They thought about this like two populations competing with each other and thinks that Cro-Magnons were among the exterminator of Neanderthals. But this remains a debate.

The reason for their extinction is still unclear.  

Reference:- 

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