By Teddy Craney-Germans Neanderthals
Jan 13, 2016
By Teddy Craney-Germans
Neanderthals
Extinct member of the Homo Genus Most well-known late archaic humanLived in Europe and Southwest Asia from
130,000 to 28,000 years agoDebate of classification: a human subspecies
or entirely separate lineage?
History
Known from Pleistocene Epoch specimensEvolved from Homo heidelbergensis in
Southern EuropeAdapted physically and culturally to the ice
age conditions
Fossil Record
Physically diverseLarger boned and more muscled than modern
humans Relatively short and stockyStood erect and were fully bipedalSkulls were long with sloping foreheads and
large brow ridgeBrain size similar to modern humans
Anatomy
Bodies strong and flexible Thickness and density of leg bones indicated
frequent walking and runningAdapted to a hunting and gathering lifestyleLarge heads and massive short bodies were
advantageous in cold climate conditions
Adaptation
Human species verse separate species?Conflicting sources of evidence Bone DNA examinedEvidence supports Neanderthals as separate
from human lineageSome mixture of characteristics with Homo
Sapiens suggest hybrid mating
Genetic Profile
Provided evidence of species’ presenceEstablished tool-based cultureHammers, spears, and axes used in hunting
and daily functionCreators of pendants and jewelryBurials and other rituals demonstrated
sophisticated usage
Tools
Population diminished steadily around 30,000 years ago
Extinction coincided with the rapid growth of modern humans in Europe
Question of competing effectively with modern humans
Possibly caused by coming of ice age and large migrations to south
Extinction
A durable species for over 300,000 yearsFirst to adapt successfully to subarctic
environmentExisted during mild stage of ice ageProved adaptable to severe climatic
conditions Developed many cultural inventions which
remained following extinction
Legacy
http://anthro.palomar.edu/homo2/mod_homo_2.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neanderthal Posted Mar 19, 2009 8:10 am
Sightings