ed even as far as China (Tudge, 1995, p. 28). However, between about 40,000 years ago and 30,000 years ago, the hominids' dominance ended. Within a period as brief as 5,000 years, the Neanderthal simply vanished. In its place appeared a different variety, Homo sapiens sapiens.
According to Putman (1988), the oldest modern human skull has been dated by thermoluminescence techniques at 92,000 years of age (Putman, 1988, p. 465). The disappearance of the Neanderthal occurred around the boundary of the Middle and Upper Paleolithic. This boundary is characterized culturally by numerous hominid technological advances. For example, the stone industries of the Upper Paleolithic were based on blades. These long, narrow flakes were chipped off prismatic cores to form complex tools. Eventually, in addition to stone and blade tools, the hominids of the Upper Paleolithic also began working with bone. This material was often fashioned into even more advanced weapons. Moreover, new projectile systems were developed. Compared to spears, such advances as the bow and arrow provided more accuracy at greater distances.
Besides being technologically superior, the increasing populations of Homo sapiens sapiens also posse
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