The Neanderthal Man A number of questions have been raised as a resu

A number of questions have been raised as a result of the studies pertaining to Neanderthal man. Like modern man, the Neanderthals are classified as homo sapiens. This distinguishes them from the homo erectus creatures which preceded them. Descriptions of Neanderthal man indicate that he "was normally chinless, had prominent brow ridges and a receding forehead, but his brain was as large as modern man's" (1:159). At the same time, however, the Neanderthals were clearly different in many ways from modern man. In fact, there is evidence that when the Neanderthals became extinct, they were replaced by Cro-Magnon man. The Cro-Magnons are essentially the same as modern man. By contrast, the remains of Neanderthal man seem to possess characteristics which are both primitive and modern. The fossil evidence indicates that the Neanderthals co-existed for a while with Cro-Magnon man. Thus, many archaeologists have questioned whether the Neanderthals and the Cro-Magnons are somehow linked to one another. There is little doubt that the Neanderthals represent an important turning point in prehistoric times. After their disappearance, modern human civilizations arose in their wake. Some scientists believe that the Neanderthals became extinct because they gradually evolved into the Cro-Magnons. Others suggest that the Cro-Magnons were an entirely separate group and that modern man arose as a result of interbreeding between the two.

The first Neanderthal bones were discover

Related Essays

Development of Human Life .... Indeed, Day (p. 1046) points out a number of fossil .... ago in the late Pleistocene period, with Neanderthal man, or in .... but the wonder of ...., and uniquely of ..... .... (2689 11 )

Intermingling of Races in Early Civilizations .... Indeed, Day points out a number of fossil .... Identification of Neanderthal characteristics, both in specimens dated .... African origin for modern ...., with migration .... (4169 17 )

Black/White History & Human Evolution .... Indeed, Day points out a number of fossil .... Identification of Neanderthal characteristics, both in specimens dated .... African origin for modern ...., with migration .... (4170 17 )

Creationism and Evolutionism .... and science-acknowledging religion, a number of diverse .... to as "The Imaginary Family Tree of ....."[10] Not .... a chimpanzee, a gorilla, a Neanderthal, an Aboriginal .... (3917 16 )

e. Of course, there is no way for obtaining evidence to support this idea. Therefore, the possibility of a Neanderthal language will undoubtedly remain on the level of a hypothesis. Another hypothetical view regarding the Neanderthals is the possibility that they may have engaged in cannibalistic rituals. This is perhaps one of the most controversial of the Neanderthal theories to have ever been advanced. Roe suggests that possible evidence for cannibalism can be found in the Neanderthal remains which were uncovered at Monte Circeo in Italy (9:59). Roe bases his belief on the fact that some of the human skulls at the site were broken open, as if for the purpose of removing the brains. However, this in itself is no reason to assume that the brains were subsequently eaten. White has also suggested the existence of cannibalism among the Neanderthals. Like Roe, White refers to the fact that many Neanderthal skulls have been broken into. In addition, White indicates that some skulls appear to have been "burned from cooking" (11:25). White connects his theory of cannibalism with the idea that Neanderthal man had begun to develop a rudimentary respect for the dead. In particular, White believes that the Neanderthals may have

Category: Science - T