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The Neanderthals

The Neanderthals. Probably derived from Heidelbergensis in Northern Europe 300,000-200,000 ybp Territory: 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

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The Neanderthals

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  1. The Neanderthals Probably derived from Heidelbergensis in Northern Europe 300,000-200,000 ybp Territory: from Siberia to Iberia to the Levant

  2. Neanderthal Physics • Cold adapted: short, stocky, thick boned • 5’6’’; 176, females somewhat smaller, 20% heavier per pound relative to humans • Trinkaus study: 50% physical overlap with Hss; Hss more derived

  3. Neanderthal Physics • Faces: larger nose; higher browridge; longer, lower cranium; larger teeth and jaws

  4. Neanderthal brains • Slightly larger than human (1425cc vs. 1350) • Enlarged erectus brain • Relative parietal expansion in humans

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

  6. Neanderthal tools • Mousterian; Levollois points/flakes; plan ahead cognition; more specialized than Heidelbergensis tool kit • Mostly stone; rarely bone or antler • Little evidence of innovation; procedural strategies; practical, repairable toolkits • Hafting points onto spears • Local, little evidence of “exotic” raw material or trade

  7. 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 HssAt Cueva de los Aviones (3 peforated shells), CuevaAntón (1 shell); 50,000 ybp • Tata engravings 70,000 ybp

  8. 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.

  9. Neanderthal language Some language but how much?

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