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