acteristics to be found in the bones. Schaafhausen interpreted this finding as indicating that the remains were of "an early stage of human evolution linking man to an ape-like ancestor" (8:25). Other scientists at the time disagreed very strongly with this hypothesis. Many of these opponents claimed that the bones from Neander Valley were those of a modern human being. In order to explain the non-human features in the bones, these scientists suggested that the remains belonged to someone with medical deformities. Since 1856, many other remains from the Neanderthal period have been found. Subsequent studies on these remains have removed all doubts regarding their antiquity. Nevertheless, a number of questions still exist concerning exactly how the evidence provided by the remains should be interpreted.
One interesting fact about the discovery of Neanderthal remains is that they are found throughout the world. This indicates a widespread distribution of the Neanderthals over the face of earth. On the basis of this evidence, Neanderthals are known to have lived in the Middle East, Northern Africa, Asia, and various parts of Europe. In addition, Neanderthal remains have been found in parts of the United States. For example, some skulls and skeletal parts were discovered in Nebraska in 1906, and two skulls were found in California in 1923 (3:672-677). The fact that the Neanderthals lived in parts of Europe and Asia is important in understanding the evolutionary development of humankind. This is true because the climate of those regions is much colder than it is in North Africa and the Middle East. The evidence shows that the Neanderthals began their development in the warmer regions and then migrated north into the colder realms. In order for the Neanderthals to survive in the colder areas, they had to have developed an ability to use fire. In addition, this migration indicates that the Neanderthals lived in cave dwelli...