The Civilization Of Neandertals

Neandertals are often criticized in modern society, and were thought of to be less intelligent than humans, however it has been proven that Neandertals, were in fact very intelligent. The debate on whether Neandertals are considered a separates species from humans has been controversial in the anthropological world. Homo sapiens, or humans, first popped up around 500,000 years ago, were found globally, and showed tendencies of modern human culture (04/19 lecture). Neandertal remains have been dated back to 1000,000 years ago, were found Eurasia in more extreme cold climates and showed tendencies of modern humans, such as having a material culture. These two “species” interbreed with each other. The biological species concept classifies species
However, it was not just exclusively just modern Homo sapiens that started the idea material culture and complex technology. According to the Smithsonian Magazine, Neandertals, and humans both were intelligent enough to possess the idea of imagination, and were creative enough to create artful objects, and crafts. Both possessed a great material culture, creating clothes and decorative ornaments and markings (04/26 lecture). Scientific American’s article’s “Inside the Neandertal Mind” accentuates humans and Neandertals value for aesthetically pleasing body ornaments and engravings. Additionally, Neandertals were not the barbarians’ modern society makes them out to be, but instead highly intelligent “people” that held the capability to live in groups and hunt cooperatively (Smithsonian Magazine). Both could adapt to a wide variety of environments thanks to their ability to develop highly functional tools to help them thrive. During Lab (05/01 Lab 14), many tools were examined. Despite the difference in names, Mousterian versus Upper Paleolithic tolls, the two sets of tools held no physical differences. Both seemed to employ the Levallois technique, which was a more precise method of creating flakes (04/19 lecture). Both sets showed a great advancement in technology and paved the way for future methods and tools. Another similarity further proving that they should be considered the same species is their sociability. Both showed a great care for other members of the groups (04/19 lecture). Despite evidence of harsh conditions and distress, members were shown to have lived longer, meaning other members had to take care of them; they were both caring. In addition to sociability and a material culture, both showed ritualistic tendencies. Although they weren’t considered as developed or meaningful as later Homo sapiens, both buried their dead, and carried out