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Neanderthals . By Teddy Craney-Germans. History. Extinct member of the Homo Genus Most well-known late archaic human Lived in Europe and Southwest Asia from 130,000 to 28,000 years ago Debate of classification: a human subspecies or entirely separate lineage?. Fossil Record .
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Neanderthals By Teddy Craney-Germans
History • Extinct member of the Homo Genus • Most well-known late archaic human • Lived in Europe and Southwest Asia from 130,000 to 28,000 years ago • Debate of classification: a human subspecies or entirely separate lineage?
Fossil Record • Known from Pleistocene Epoch specimens • Evolved from Homo heidelbergensis in Southern Europe • Adapted physically and culturally to the ice age conditions
Anatomy • Physically diverse • Larger boned and more muscled than modern humans • Relatively short and stocky • Stood erect and were fully bipedal • Skulls were long with sloping foreheads and large brow ridge • Brain size similar to modern humans
Adaptation • Bodies strong and flexible • Thickness and density of leg bones indicated frequent walking and running • Adapted to a hunting and gathering lifestyle • Large heads and massive short bodies were advantageous in cold climate conditions
Genetic Profile • Human species verse separate species? • Conflicting sources of evidence • Bone DNA examined • Evidence supports Neanderthals as separate from human lineage • Some mixture of characteristics with Homo Sapiens suggest hybrid mating
Tools • Provided evidence of species’ presence • Established tool-based culture • Hammers, spears, and axes used in hunting and daily function • Creators of pendants and jewelry • Burials and other rituals demonstrated sophisticated usage
Extinction • Population diminished steadily around 30,000 years ago • Extinction coincided with the rapid growth of modern humans in Europe • Question of competing effectively with modern humans • Possibly caused by coming of ice age and large migrations to south
Legacy • A durable species for over 300,000 years • First to adapt successfully to subarctic environment • Existed during mild stage of ice age • Proved adaptable to severe climatic conditions • Developed many cultural inventions which remained following extinction
Sightings • http://anthro.palomar.edu/homo2/mod_homo_2.htm • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neanderthal Posted Mar 19, 2009 8:10 am