3. The modern image of Neanderthals

Until recently, encyclopedias showed a line of evolution with ape-man (Australopithecus), primitive-man (Homo erectus), early-man (Homo sapiens) and modern-man (Homo sapiens sapiens) in this order to depict how hominids gradually straighten their back as they evolve into modern man. Walking on two legs with their back upright finally appeared when they became modern-men.

Such figures were based on the incorrect reconstruction by Boule and others, and are now completely denied. Human beings were walking erect even before their brains were developed. Although insufficient in number, analysis of many fossils and footmarks that were excavated revealed that ape-man was already walking with his back upright. By the time of Neanderthals, there is no doubt that they were walking erect.

Neanderthals were not tall but their bodies were brawny. Although their skulls showed old characteristics, their cranial capacity was over 1400ml, which exceeds the average of modern man, which is about 1350ml. Furthermore, this number is the average of all Neanderthals. If we look only at European Neanderthals of the later period, cranial capacity exceeded 1700ml.

Neanderthals were first discovered in Europe. But after excavations from surrounding areas such as Middle East, the Caucasus, and Central Asia followed, it became clear that they were distributed in wider areas. Those Neanderthals discovered in areas outside Europe are called sub-species Neanderthals to distinguish them from those of Europe. Both, however, are essentially the same and are generally termed as Neanderthals.

Neanderthals had a very distinctive and developed stone culture called Mousterian Stone culture. They already had fire-making skills that they used efficiently and had a custom of burying the dead.

Large quantity of pollen was found from the soil of Shanidar Cave of Levant region where Neanderthals were found buried. This signifies that they also had a custom of offering flowers to the dead.

As seen here, it is currently understood that Neanderthals had as much capacity as the modern men, but only the traces of prominent art are yet to be discovered. But at the same time, there is no evidence showing they didnÕt practice any arts such as cave paintings. Considering the long ages that passed, there is sufficient possibility that traces of their art may have simply eradicated.

In fact, Neanderthals did seem to have some artistic sense. They used colored pigments called ocher made of colored minerals to sprinkle around the tomb or to decorate the corpse.

Discussions on whether Neanderthals had the capacity to talk or not have not reached a conclusion.

But recently, the hyoid bone that plays an important role in pronouncing words was discovered and such finding revealed that Neanderthals were no different from modern men. At least their physical feature showed the ability to talk. And therefore, there is a high possibility that they had already acquired language abilities.

Translated by Rie Ishida