Neanderthals Flashcards
the “classic form of Neanderthals are thought to have lived during what years?
130,000-40,000ya
where were Neanderthals first discovered and in what year?
Neander Valley, Germany in 1856
how far back can Neanderthals be traced to?
350,000ya
where else were Neanderthals found in the world?
the Amud, Tabun, and Kebara caves in Israel
where did Neanderthals primarily live in the world?
Europe, Mid. East, Southwest and Central Asia
what are some characteristics of Neanderthals?
-large noses
-robust hands
-thick supraorbital torus
-occipital bun
-lack of chin
what is the occipital bun?
a long, low skull with a prominent high spot on the back of the head, mimicking a bun
what is the anatomically correct term for “lack of chin”?
mental eminence
mental eminence means what?
lack of chin
what was the approx brain size of Neanderthals?
1300-1600cc **mean is 1450cc
what characteristics made Neanderthals suitable for cold weather and activities that required more strength?
-large noses- they could inhale more air, warming it up faster than modern day humans
-powerful hands
-a comparable gait and posture to humans
Neanderthals dentition was most similar to what hominins?
Homo erectus and homo sapiens
what hominin shares DNA with Neanderthals?
homo sapiens
what was significant about the diet of Neanderthals?
they ate almost entirely meat- 97%
Neanderthals have similar DNA to what animals and why?
lions and wolves due to their hunting skills and survival adaptations
when did the extinction of Neanderthals take place?
end of the late Pleistocene 40,000-27,000ya
why is it believed that Neanderthals became extinct?
they were too adapted to the cold temperatures and couldn’t survive the warming of the environment, as well as interbreeding
what types of shelters did Neanderthals live in?
rock and cave shelters
what made Neanderthals skilled hunters?
they were experts at animal habits, although this made it dangerous as they primarily hunted within close range of their prey (megafauna) and often sustained serious injuries or death
did Neanderthals use fire?
yes, hearths and charcoal debris were found at sites where they lived.
what did Neanderthal sites tell archaeologists?
-they occupied places for long periods of time
-they pushed debris to the edges of their caves (they were orderly)
what 2 locations are significant outside of Israel for Neanderthal remains?
Shandihar cave in Iraq, Gorham’s Cave in Gibraltar
Kebara cave in Israel showed what about neanderthals?
they buried their dead
what was found in Shandihar Cave in Iraq?
a male skeleton with several healed injuries and amputations; he was also blind
what did the findings at the cave in Shandihar tell archaeologists about Neanderthals?
they were developing compassion and took care of one another
what was found at Gorham’s cove in Gibraltar?
etching inside caves showing symbolic expression
