Homo Neanderthalensis Research Paper
Have you ever heard the expression “You are acting like a Neanderthal”? Well if you have, you know where this research essay is going. If you have not heard or understood the meaning of this phrase, you will soon. Homo neanderthalensis or Neanderthal was the modern human’s closest extinct relative. The Neanderthals were the previous hominid before the Homo sapiens or modern humans. The name “Neanderthal” is derived from the origin of the first specimen discovered. That specimen was found in the Neander Valley or Tal in German. Naturally, they called this new hominid “Homo neanderthalensis’. There are a few questions everyone thinks when researching the Neanderthals, where does it come from? Were they superior to Homo sapiens (modern humans)? Why did this species of hominids die off? These are few of the thought
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processes Homo sapiens think about when hearing about our primitive rivals. I firmly believe Homo neanderthalensis were built physically superior when it comes to strength and surviving the nature. The only thing Homo Neanderthalensis lacked was knowledge and mental strength.
Neanderthals are considered to have lived approximately 120,000-400,000 years ago; Scientists believe that the extinction of this Hominid occurred around 28,000 years ago. Neanderthals had lived in the late Pleistocene Epoch. Neanderthal bones could have been discovered as early as the 1820’s, but they were not recorded. In 1856, an unidentified person found a human-shaped skull and bones in a fossil. This person was extremely surprised. These fossils were found inside of a cave deposit, in the Neander Valley. The unknown person self- identified the skull in the fossil as that of a bear. Not being sure, the stranger took the fossils to a local school teacher and amateur naturalist, named Johan Karl. Johan Karl saw the fossils and identified them as human beings bone parts and fragments. He also realized they were somewhat different from modern Europeans. News spread fast, and several leading palaeontologists gathered and researched the specimen. The experts got in a disagreement and could not identify the period of this skull. Modern scientists explain this problem by saying it could not have been conceivable for scientists in the 1850’s to come to the conclusion of an entirely new Hominid. It was at this time that the unidentified fossils would be named Homo neanderthalensis.
When it comes to the physical aspects of the Homo Neanderthalensis, scientists have discovered quite a bit due to bone samples. Researchers have found that the average males were approximately 164-168 cm tall, and the average females were about 152-156 cm tall. The average weight for a man would be about 77.6 kg and 64.4 kg for women. Homo sapiens or Modern Humans have an approximate height of 170 cm for men, and 160 cm height for females. The approximate weight of all Modern Humans is approximately 63 kg. Although modern humans are superior when it comes to height, Neanderthals had stronger muscles. Research suggests that Neanderthals had more powerful biceps, deltoids, triceps, and many other stronger muscles. This is mainly due to the Neanderthals dragging their prey and resources on the ground. Scientists have used this information to discover that males were quite larger than females. The size difference almost meets the same ratio as Homo sapiens.
In 2013, a study of Neanderthal skulls showed us that the eyesight of Neanderthal was most likely better than modern humans. Neanderthals had larger eye sockets, and a brain devoted to vision. When it comes to the skull size of a Neanderthal, they outclass modern humans by at least ten percent. The skull size of a Neanderthal was 1600 cm cubed. In 2008, a group of scientists used a 3D computer and reconstructed Neanderthal infants based on fossils found in Russia. It indicated that Neanderthals and modern human’s brains were the same sizes at birth, but after Neanderthals grow older; their cranial capacity exceeds modern humans. Neanderthals and modern humans have almost the same encephalization (brain to body ratio). An Oxford study in 2013 told us that although Neanderthals have a higher cranial capacity, the amount of brainpower focused on visual cortex is far greater than Homo sapiens. When they “corrected” or fixed the amount of brainpower, modern humans come out with 1332.41 cubic centimeters of brain power, while Neanderthals have 1133.98 cubic centimeters of brain power. The differences before were very minimal. Before the corrected version, Neanderthals had 1473.46 cubic centimetres and 1473.84 cubic centimetres of brain capacity for modern humans. The compliment/insult “You are acting like a Neanderthal” comes from the fact that modern humans are more intelligent, but lack superior physical strength.
Scientists have discovered that Neanderthals had quite the appetite. Using the samples of animal bones near Neanderthal sites, researchers have found what they liked to ate. Evidence suggests that Neanderthals ate larger animals like bears, oxen, elks, and even wooly mammoths. Evidence from Neanderthal produce also shows that they sometimes or rarely ate edible plants, rabbits, tortoises, and small reptiles. They even discovered that they ate rotten corpses of animals as well (rarely). Even though Neanderthals had a rich diet, 70% of teeth enamel showed that Neanderthals had faced starvation. This is according to Mary Stone from the University of Arizona. A shocking discovery by Fernando Rozzi indicates Neanderthals practiced cannibalism. A Neanderthal bone between 100,000 and 120,000 years old suggest that the specimen was ripped and stripped of their flesh. Marks also indicate that tendons were cut, and joints were torn apart. Why Neanderthals did this is still a question. Jakov Radovcic suggests it could have been a sacrifice or way to mourn the dead.
The Neanderthals had a vast collection of tools and methods of using them. Well, at least before they all got extinct. The Neanderthals had shafts, points, spears, axes, wooden handles, scrappers, pronged harpoons, hammers and bone blades. They used these tools to hunt, to sculpt, and to cave paint. The hunting method Neanderthals used with their weapons mostly included herding large animals. They would corner the animal and then as a group launch a massive attack. There was, however, a significant amount of injuries from this method, as shown by scars and broken limbs in fossils. Neanderthals also had access to fire, but no evidence suggests any further uses besides warmth.
Neanderthals were not as dumb or emotionless as we thought. Neanderthals had a culture going for them. This culture included lots of sculpting, jewellery making, and cave paintings. There is even fossilized pigment found, suggesting possible body decorating or the colorization of animal skins. A few examples of art include grooved animal teeth, ivory rings, polished mammoth tusks, pendants, basic stone sculptures, and cave paintings made from scrappers. Sadly, there is no evidence of written or spoken language found. One aspect the culture of Neanderthals included was the burying their dead. Scientists have found well-conditioned specimens buried beneath the ground. As mentioned before, a part of the culture Neanderthals shared could have had cannibalistic ceremonies or practices. This speculation is not favoured by most.
One of the most difficult tasks scientists faced while studying the Homo Neanderthalensis was its origins and demise.
Where did it come from? Researchers carefully examined the genomes of our ancestors and found a direct link to the genus Homo heidelbergensis. Homo heidelbergensis roamed Africa over 700,000 years ago. Between 300,000 to 400,000 years ago a small group of Homo heidelbergensis traveled to Europe and East Asia. When they got there and settled down, they eventually evolved into the Homo neanderthalensis. This led to the estimated 400,000 years of the Homo neanderthalensis. Naturally, the Homo neanderthalensis did eventually disappear and get extinct. How did that happen? There are many speculations to how Neanderthals went extinct; this is an on-going debate. The most popular speculation is that the Neanderthals, and Homo sapiens (which are the direct descent of Neanderthals), interbred with one another. This resulted in the Neanderthal genomes eventually dissolving into what are known as modern humans. There are also many other theories about the demise of the Neanderthals. We hope one day we will uncover the truth behind their
extinction.
In conclusion, the Homo neanderthalensis was a fascinating genus; it would be such an amazing wonder to see one alive again. The only flaw that ensured its demise was their mental capabilities. When it came to brain power and knowledge, Homo neanderthalensis were outclassed. There is so much to discover about the Neanderthals, and there is so much more research to be done.
processes Homo sapiens think about when hearing about our primitive rivals. I firmly believe Homo neanderthalensis were built physically superior when it comes to strength and surviving the nature. The only thing Homo Neanderthalensis lacked was knowledge and mental strength.
Neanderthals are considered to have lived approximately 120,000-400,000 years ago; Scientists believe that the extinction of this Hominid occurred around 28,000 years ago. Neanderthals had lived in the late Pleistocene Epoch. Neanderthal bones could have been discovered as early as the 1820’s, but they were not recorded. In 1856, an unidentified person found a human-shaped skull and bones in a fossil. This person was extremely surprised. These fossils were found inside of a cave deposit, in the Neander Valley. The unknown person self- identified the skull in the fossil as that of a bear. Not being sure, the stranger took the fossils to a local school teacher and amateur naturalist, named Johan Karl. Johan Karl saw the fossils and identified them as human beings bone parts and fragments. He also realized they were somewhat different from modern Europeans. News spread fast, and several leading palaeontologists gathered and researched the specimen. The experts got in a disagreement and could not identify the period of this skull. Modern scientists explain this problem by saying it could not have been conceivable for scientists in the 1850’s to come to the conclusion of an entirely new Hominid. It was at this time that the unidentified fossils would be named Homo neanderthalensis.
When it comes to the physical aspects of the Homo Neanderthalensis, scientists have discovered quite a bit due to bone samples. Researchers have found that the average males were approximately 164-168 cm tall, and the average females were about 152-156 cm tall. The average weight for a man would be about 77.6 kg and 64.4 kg for women. Homo sapiens or Modern Humans have an approximate height of 170 cm for men, and 160 cm height for females. The approximate weight of all Modern Humans is approximately 63 kg. Although modern humans are superior when it comes to height, Neanderthals had stronger muscles. Research suggests that Neanderthals had more powerful biceps, deltoids, triceps, and many other stronger muscles. This is mainly due to the Neanderthals dragging their prey and resources on the ground. Scientists have used this information to discover that males were quite larger than females. The size difference almost meets the same ratio as Homo sapiens.
In 2013, a study of Neanderthal skulls showed us that the eyesight of Neanderthal was most likely better than modern humans. Neanderthals had larger eye sockets, and a brain devoted to vision. When it comes to the skull size of a Neanderthal, they outclass modern humans by at least ten percent. The skull size of a Neanderthal was 1600 cm cubed. In 2008, a group of scientists used a 3D computer and reconstructed Neanderthal infants based on fossils found in Russia. It indicated that Neanderthals and modern human’s brains were the same sizes at birth, but after Neanderthals grow older; their cranial capacity exceeds modern humans. Neanderthals and modern humans have almost the same encephalization (brain to body ratio). An Oxford study in 2013 told us that although Neanderthals have a higher cranial capacity, the amount of brainpower focused on visual cortex is far greater than Homo sapiens. When they “corrected” or fixed the amount of brainpower, modern humans come out with 1332.41 cubic centimeters of brain power, while Neanderthals have 1133.98 cubic centimeters of brain power. The differences before were very minimal. Before the corrected version, Neanderthals had 1473.46 cubic centimetres and 1473.84 cubic centimetres of brain capacity for modern humans. The compliment/insult “You are acting like a Neanderthal” comes from the fact that modern humans are more intelligent, but lack superior physical strength.
Scientists have discovered that Neanderthals had quite the appetite. Using the samples of animal bones near Neanderthal sites, researchers have found what they liked to ate. Evidence suggests that Neanderthals ate larger animals like bears, oxen, elks, and even wooly mammoths. Evidence from Neanderthal produce also shows that they sometimes or rarely ate edible plants, rabbits, tortoises, and small reptiles. They even discovered that they ate rotten corpses of animals as well (rarely). Even though Neanderthals had a rich diet, 70% of teeth enamel showed that Neanderthals had faced starvation. This is according to Mary Stone from the University of Arizona. A shocking discovery by Fernando Rozzi indicates Neanderthals practiced cannibalism. A Neanderthal bone between 100,000 and 120,000 years old suggest that the specimen was ripped and stripped of their flesh. Marks also indicate that tendons were cut, and joints were torn apart. Why Neanderthals did this is still a question. Jakov Radovcic suggests it could have been a sacrifice or way to mourn the dead.
The Neanderthals had a vast collection of tools and methods of using them. Well, at least before they all got extinct. The Neanderthals had shafts, points, spears, axes, wooden handles, scrappers, pronged harpoons, hammers and bone blades. They used these tools to hunt, to sculpt, and to cave paint. The hunting method Neanderthals used with their weapons mostly included herding large animals. They would corner the animal and then as a group launch a massive attack. There was, however, a significant amount of injuries from this method, as shown by scars and broken limbs in fossils. Neanderthals also had access to fire, but no evidence suggests any further uses besides warmth.
Neanderthals were not as dumb or emotionless as we thought. Neanderthals had a culture going for them. This culture included lots of sculpting, jewellery making, and cave paintings. There is even fossilized pigment found, suggesting possible body decorating or the colorization of animal skins. A few examples of art include grooved animal teeth, ivory rings, polished mammoth tusks, pendants, basic stone sculptures, and cave paintings made from scrappers. Sadly, there is no evidence of written or spoken language found. One aspect the culture of Neanderthals included was the burying their dead. Scientists have found well-conditioned specimens buried beneath the ground. As mentioned before, a part of the culture Neanderthals shared could have had cannibalistic ceremonies or practices. This speculation is not favoured by most.
One of the most difficult tasks scientists faced while studying the Homo Neanderthalensis was its origins and demise.
Where did it come from? Researchers carefully examined the genomes of our ancestors and found a direct link to the genus Homo heidelbergensis. Homo heidelbergensis roamed Africa over 700,000 years ago. Between 300,000 to 400,000 years ago a small group of Homo heidelbergensis traveled to Europe and East Asia. When they got there and settled down, they eventually evolved into the Homo neanderthalensis. This led to the estimated 400,000 years of the Homo neanderthalensis. Naturally, the Homo neanderthalensis did eventually disappear and get extinct. How did that happen? There are many speculations to how Neanderthals went extinct; this is an on-going debate. The most popular speculation is that the Neanderthals, and Homo sapiens (which are the direct descent of Neanderthals), interbred with one another. This resulted in the Neanderthal genomes eventually dissolving into what are known as modern humans. There are also many other theories about the demise of the Neanderthals. We hope one day we will uncover the truth behind their
extinction.
In conclusion, the Homo neanderthalensis was a fascinating genus; it would be such an amazing wonder to see one alive again. The only flaw that ensured its demise was their mental capabilities. When it came to brain power and knowledge, Homo neanderthalensis were outclassed. There is so much to discover about the Neanderthals, and there is so much more research to be done.