Neanderthals

Question 1

the “classic form of Neanderthals are thought to have lived during what years?

Answer 1

130,000-40,000ya

Question 2

where were Neanderthals first discovered and in what year?

Answer 2

Neander Valley, Germany in 1856

Question 3

how far back can Neanderthals be traced to?

Answer 3

350,000ya

Question 4

where else were Neanderthals found in the world?

Answer 4

the Amud, Tabun, and Kebara caves in Israel

Question 5

where did Neanderthals primarily live in the world?

Answer 5

Europe, Mid. East, Southwest and Central Asia

Question 6

what are some characteristics of Neanderthals?

Answer 6

-large noses
-robust hands
-thick supraorbital torus
-occipital bun
-lack of chin

Question 7

what is the occipital bun?

Answer 7

a long, low skull with a prominent high spot on the back of the head, mimicking a bun

Question 8

what is the anatomically correct term for “lack of chin”?

Answer 8

mental eminence

Question 9

mental eminence means what?

Answer 9

lack of chin

Question 10

what was the approx brain size of Neanderthals?

Answer 10

1300-1600cc **mean is 1450cc

Question 11

what characteristics made Neanderthals suitable for cold weather and activities that required more strength?

Answer 11

-large noses- they could inhale more air, warming it up faster than modern day humans
-powerful hands
-a comparable gait and posture to humans

Question 12

Neanderthals dentition was most similar to what hominins?

Answer 12

Homo erectus and homo sapiens

Question 13

what hominin shares DNA with Neanderthals?

Answer 13

homo sapiens

Question 14

what was significant about the diet of Neanderthals?

Answer 14

they ate almost entirely meat- 97%

Question 15

Neanderthals have similar DNA to what animals and why?

Answer 15

lions and wolves due to their hunting skills and survival adaptations

Question 16

when did the extinction of Neanderthals take place?

Answer 16

end of the late Pleistocene 40,000-27,000ya

Question 17

why is it believed that Neanderthals became extinct?

Answer 17

they were too adapted to the cold temperatures and couldn’t survive the warming of the environment, as well as interbreeding

Question 18

what types of shelters did Neanderthals live in?

Answer 18

rock and cave shelters

Question 19

what made Neanderthals skilled hunters?

Answer 19

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

Question 20

did Neanderthals use fire?

Answer 20

yes, hearths and charcoal debris were found at sites where they lived.

Question 21

what did Neanderthal sites tell archaeologists?

Answer 21

-they occupied places for long periods of time
-they pushed debris to the edges of their caves (they were orderly)

Question 22

what 2 locations are significant outside of Israel for Neanderthal remains?

Answer 22

Shandihar cave in Iraq, Gorham’s Cave in Gibraltar

Question 23

Kebara cave in Israel showed what about neanderthals?

Answer 23

they buried their dead

Question 24

what was found in Shandihar Cave in Iraq?

Answer 24

a male skeleton with several healed injuries and amputations; he was also blind

Question 25

what did the findings at the cave in Shandihar tell archaeologists about Neanderthals?

Answer 25

they were developing compassion and took care of one another

Question 26

what was found at Gorham’s cove in Gibraltar?

Answer 26

etching inside caves showing symbolic expression