The NeanderthalsProbably derived from Heidelbergensis in Northern Europe 300,000-200,000 ybpTerritory: from Siberia to Iberia to the Levant

Neanderthal Physics• Cold adapted:

short, stocky, thick boned

• 5’6’’; 176, females somewhat smaller, 20% heavier per pound relative to humans

Neanderthal Physics

• Faces: larger nose; higher browridge; longer, lower cranium; larger teeth and jaws

Neanderthal brains

• Slightly larger than human (1425cc vs. 1350)

• Enlarged erectus brain

• Relative parietal expansion in humans

Neanderthal hunting

• Varied diets, but large big game meat consumers• Cooperative hunting (100,000-50,000 ybp) Mauran, Le Borde, Combe

Grenal, and La Cotte (below)• No projectile weapons; thrusting spears, close-in ambush hunting;

little evidence of long-range hunting expeditions or intercept strategies• Rodeo rider injuries, tough life

Neanderthal tools• Mousterian; Levollois points/flakes; more specialized than Heidelbergensis

tool kit• Mostly stone; rarely bone or antler• Little evidence of innovation; procedural strategies• Hafting points onto spears• Local, little evidence of “exotic” raw material or trade

Neanderthal symbolism?

• Frequent use of pigments. For what purpose? Processing of hides, hunting camo; adhesives; selectivity for color suggest more than just practical

• Beads; Chatelperronian controversy (borrowed from Cro-Magnons?) • Recent finds in Spain earlier than Hss At Cueva de los Aviones (3

peforated shells), Cueva Antón (1 shell); 50,000 ybp• Tata engravings 70,000 ybp

Neanderthal social life

• Homogenous population est. 70,000 in Europe at 40,000 ybp• Smaller less organized campsite• Smaller hearths, possible no communal use of fire• Smaller social groups; no trade; local face-to-face interactions• Possibly little gender specialization; longer gestation period >12months?• Burials inconclusive regarding ritual; afterlife beliefs, etc.

Neanderthal language

Some language but how much?