Difference between revisions of "Neanderthal"
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| + | [[Image:Neanderthals.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Neanderthal men.]] | ||
The first fossil humanoid to be identified as such, and the best known, named after remains found in the [[Neanderthal]] valley in western [[Germany]] in 1856. ''Homo (sapiens) neanderthalensis'' is found throughout [[Europe]] and the [[Near East]] and also the remainder of the [[Old World]] in variant forms, during the late Middle and Upper Pleistocene circa 80,000 to 30,000 years ago. Within western Europe the remains are associated with the middle [[palaeolithic]] [[Mousterian]] stone tool industries that disappeared with the arrival of [[Cro-magnon]] man (early modern Humans.) | The first fossil humanoid to be identified as such, and the best known, named after remains found in the [[Neanderthal]] valley in western [[Germany]] in 1856. ''Homo (sapiens) neanderthalensis'' is found throughout [[Europe]] and the [[Near East]] and also the remainder of the [[Old World]] in variant forms, during the late Middle and Upper Pleistocene circa 80,000 to 30,000 years ago. Within western Europe the remains are associated with the middle [[palaeolithic]] [[Mousterian]] stone tool industries that disappeared with the arrival of [[Cro-magnon]] man (early modern Humans.) | ||
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| + | ==Anatomy== | ||
| + | [[Image:Human_Skeleton.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Neanderthal (left) and human (right)skeletons, depicting the similarities and differences between the species.]] | ||
A Neanderthal was a fully erect biped of stocky build, with a long low skull, prominent brow ridges and [[occiputs]], and a jutting face. | A Neanderthal was a fully erect biped of stocky build, with a long low skull, prominent brow ridges and [[occiputs]], and a jutting face. | ||
Neanderthals were on average more muscular than humans and they lacked a chin, they were social creatures living in small tribes, like the humans of their time, Neanderthals also possessed the right skull features to be able to speak <ref>Neanderthal Myths <i>Neanderthal, Channel 4</i> [http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/N/neanderthal/]</ref>. | Neanderthals were on average more muscular than humans and they lacked a chin, they were social creatures living in small tribes, like the humans of their time, Neanderthals also possessed the right skull features to be able to speak <ref>Neanderthal Myths <i>Neanderthal, Channel 4</i> [http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/N/neanderthal/]</ref>. | ||
The popular impression of him as a stooping brute is incorrect and derives from the original poor reconstruction in the Neanderthal valley. It has also been suggested that the first individual found suffered from vitamin D deficiency ([[rickets]]) or [[syphilis]]. | The popular impression of him as a stooping brute is incorrect and derives from the original poor reconstruction in the Neanderthal valley. It has also been suggested that the first individual found suffered from vitamin D deficiency ([[rickets]]) or [[syphilis]]. | ||
| − | Neanderthals were probably about as intelligent as an average human, | + | |
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| + | ==Society== | ||
| + | Neanderthals were probably about as intelligent as an average human, they were social creatures living in small tribes, like the humans of their time. | ||
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| + | ==History== | ||
| + | Neanderthal man developed from ''Homo erectus'', though the widespread distribution of intermediate form hinders an attempt to resolve any single geographical locality as the place of development. The fate of Neanderthals is equally hard or determine: they either became assimilated into encroaching human populations or merely died out. | ||
Neanderthal Man is not considered to be a direct ancestor of modern humans, but their remains are examples of [[transitional fossil]]s along a subsidiary branch, an evolutionary dead end. | Neanderthal Man is not considered to be a direct ancestor of modern humans, but their remains are examples of [[transitional fossil]]s along a subsidiary branch, an evolutionary dead end. | ||
Revision as of 02:30, May 12, 2007
The first fossil humanoid to be identified as such, and the best known, named after remains found in the Neanderthal valley in western Germany in 1856. Homo (sapiens) neanderthalensis is found throughout Europe and the Near East and also the remainder of the Old World in variant forms, during the late Middle and Upper Pleistocene circa 80,000 to 30,000 years ago. Within western Europe the remains are associated with the middle palaeolithic Mousterian stone tool industries that disappeared with the arrival of Cro-magnon man (early modern Humans.)
Anatomy
A Neanderthal was a fully erect biped of stocky build, with a long low skull, prominent brow ridges and occiputs, and a jutting face. Neanderthals were on average more muscular than humans and they lacked a chin, they were social creatures living in small tribes, like the humans of their time, Neanderthals also possessed the right skull features to be able to speak [1]. The popular impression of him as a stooping brute is incorrect and derives from the original poor reconstruction in the Neanderthal valley. It has also been suggested that the first individual found suffered from vitamin D deficiency (rickets) or syphilis.
Society
Neanderthals were probably about as intelligent as an average human, they were social creatures living in small tribes, like the humans of their time.
History
Neanderthal man developed from Homo erectus, though the widespread distribution of intermediate form hinders an attempt to resolve any single geographical locality as the place of development. The fate of Neanderthals is equally hard or determine: they either became assimilated into encroaching human populations or merely died out.
Neanderthal Man is not considered to be a direct ancestor of modern humans, but their remains are examples of transitional fossils along a subsidiary branch, an evolutionary dead end.