Introduction:
Everyone must have known about Neanderthals. But just how much do you actually know about them? Let's have a look!
Image credit - pinterest
Neanderthals or Homo Neanderthalensis are our closest relatives in the human family tree. It is way better to say that they were our cousins and not our ancestors. They are the early and the only hominids to probably evolved in Europe's Atlantic Coast and as far East as Central Asia.
They lived from about 400,000 years ago to 40, 000 years ago. They are often called “British Cavemen “. They were the first humans to survive cold and their habitat reached Northward to modern-day Belgium.
Fossils Record:
2. In 1908, nearly a complete skull was found which was about 50, 000 years old in a small cave in France near a town called La Chapelle - aux - Saints. It was a belonging of an adult male.
3. The most dated Neanderthal fossils come from small areas of Western Europe and near the East which was likely where the last population of this early human species existed.
Body Features of Neanderthals:
1. The Neanderthals were originally dark-skinned but in time they grow lighter due to exposure to climate change.
2. The male Neanderthal had an average height of 1.6 to 1.7m and had an average weight of 78Kg.
3. The female Neanderthal had an average height of 1.5 to 1.6m and had an average weight of 66Kg.
4. They were stocky with a broad chest, Bunky torso, and Muscular limbs. These adaptations helped them to retain their body heat.
5. Though they are our closest relatives, their lymph and torso proportions were very different from that of modern humans.
6. This species had a large nose and had relatively high bridges. This created a nasal chamber that warmed and humidified the cold, dry air they would breathe in the Northern regions.
7. Neanderthals had a large brain size of 1500 cubic cm which was 11% larger than that of modern humans.
8. Increase in brain size might have played a significant role in another type of adaptation and culture.
Facts about Neanderthals:
Ornament made from 'eagle claws'
Neanderthals or Homo Neanderthalensis are our closest relatives in the human family tree. It is way better to say that they were our cousins and not our ancestors. They are the early and the only hominids to probably evolved in Europe's Atlantic Coast and as far East as Central Asia.
They lived from about 400,000 years ago to 40, 000 years ago. They are often called “British Cavemen “. They were the first humans to survive cold and their habitat reached Northward to modern-day Belgium.
Fossils Record:
Image credit - australian.museum
1. Neanderthals fossils were first found in the year '1856' in the feldefer cave of the " Neander Valley " and that is how their name 'Neanderthals' came up.
2. In 1908, nearly a complete skull was found which was about 50, 000 years old in a small cave in France near a town called La Chapelle - aux - Saints. It was a belonging of an adult male.
3. The most dated Neanderthal fossils come from small areas of Western Europe and near the East which was likely where the last population of this early human species existed.
Body Features of Neanderthals:
1. The Neanderthals were originally dark-skinned but in time they grow lighter due to exposure to climate change.
2. The male Neanderthal had an average height of 1.6 to 1.7m and had an average weight of 78Kg.
3. The female Neanderthal had an average height of 1.5 to 1.6m and had an average weight of 66Kg.
4. They were stocky with a broad chest, Bunky torso, and Muscular limbs. These adaptations helped them to retain their body heat.
5. Though they are our closest relatives, their lymph and torso proportions were very different from that of modern humans.
6. This species had a large nose and had relatively high bridges. This created a nasal chamber that warmed and humidified the cold, dry air they would breathe in the Northern regions.
7. Neanderthals had a large brain size of 1500 cubic cm which was 11% larger than that of modern humans.
8. Increase in brain size might have played a significant role in another type of adaptation and culture.
Facts about Neanderthals:
Ornament made from 'eagle claws'
Image credit - sciencenewsforstudents
1. They were the first human species to make tools out of bones and created advanced tools.
2. They also built shelters and made clothing.
3. The Neanderthals created objects that served ornamental purposes. One such ornament was found in the Grotte Du Renne at Arcy - Sur - Cure in North-Central France.
4. According to the study published in the journal Science, they made the earliest known Cave Art which was found 64, 000 years ago - long before modern humans arrived in Europe. Hence, they were also artists!
5. They were clever and strong hunters and were quick to adapt to the harsh conditions.
6. They also had the ability to control fire and were capable of speech.
7. Last but not least, they were the first ones to carry out the symbolic gesture of burying their dead and even practiced adorning gravesites with flowers which were proven by the pollen found in one of the gravesites.
Conclusion:
The Neanderthals were literally like us and that's why they are called "our cousins" and not our ancestors! But actually, no one really knows how Neanderthals became extinct and why we survived.
Hope you found this article useful!
Written By - Rincy Saj
2. They also built shelters and made clothing.
3. The Neanderthals created objects that served ornamental purposes. One such ornament was found in the Grotte Du Renne at Arcy - Sur - Cure in North-Central France.
4. According to the study published in the journal Science, they made the earliest known Cave Art which was found 64, 000 years ago - long before modern humans arrived in Europe. Hence, they were also artists!
5. They were clever and strong hunters and were quick to adapt to the harsh conditions.
6. They also had the ability to control fire and were capable of speech.
7. Last but not least, they were the first ones to carry out the symbolic gesture of burying their dead and even practiced adorning gravesites with flowers which were proven by the pollen found in one of the gravesites.
Conclusion:
The Neanderthals were literally like us and that's why they are called "our cousins" and not our ancestors! But actually, no one really knows how Neanderthals became extinct and why we survived.
Hope you found this article useful!
Written By - Rincy Saj
Edited By - Daniel Deepak Charles
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2 Comments
nice👍
ReplyDeleteGood one 👍
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