Homo neanderthalensis

Homo neanderthalensis, also known as Neanderthals, were a species or subspecies of archaic humans who lived in Eurasia until about 40,000 years ago. They are our closest extinct human relatives, sharing a common ancestor with modern humans (Homo sapiens) about 500,000 years ago.

Physical Characteristics

Neanderthals had a robust build, with a larger braincase than modern humans. They had a distinct brow ridge, a prominent nose, and a sturdy, muscular body suited for cold climates. Their physical adaptations allowed them to survive in harsh environments during the Ice Age.

Cultural and Behavioral Traits

Neanderthals were skilled hunters and used tools made of stone, bone, and wood. They lived in social groups, created shelters, and buried their dead, indicating a level of symbolic and ritualistic behavior. Evidence suggests that they had language and may have engaged in symbolic expression.

Interactions with Homo sapiens

There is evidence of interbreeding between Neanderthals and early modern humans (Homo sapiens) when they coexisted in Europe and Asia. Genetic studies have shown that many modern humans of non-African descent carry a small percentage of Neanderthal DNA, indicating interbreeding between the two groups.

Extinction

The reasons for the extinction of Neanderthals are still debated among scientists. Factors such as climate change, competition with modern humans, and other environmental pressures may have contributed to their disappearance. However, their legacy lives on in the genetic heritage of some modern human populations.

Study Guide Questions

1. What are some physical characteristics of Neanderthals that distinguish them from modern humans?
2. Describe the cultural and behavioral traits of Neanderthals based on archaeological evidence.
3. How did Neanderthals interact with early modern humans, and what evidence supports these interactions?
4. Discuss the potential reasons for the extinction of Neanderthals, and the evidence supporting each hypothesis.