Anthropology Assignment: Were Neanderthals Human? (Essay Sample)

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Date
Were Neanderthals “Human”?
Were Neanderthals “Human”?
Introduction
Neanderthal is fossil species of people who lived 300-24 thousand years ago. It is believed that the Neanderthal skull was first found in 1856 in the Neandertal valley near Dusseldorf and Erkrath in West Germany. Later, scientists have proved that the first skull was found in Gibraltar in 1848, but it has been recognized as the one belonging to Neanderthal only in 1864. Homo sapiens differs from the nearest species, Neanderthals, in a number of features of the structure of the skeleton (high forehead, reduction of eyebrow arches, the presence of the mastoid process of the temporal bone, the absence of the occipital ridge - "bone chignon", concave base of the skull, molar teeth, flattened chest, usually relatively long limbs and the proportions of the brain ("beaked" frontal lobes in Neanderthals and widely rounded ones in Homo sapiens). At the moment, understanding of Neanderthal genome structure allows to deepen understanding of the nature of the differences between these two species. However, despite these distinguishes, it can be confidently stated that Neanderthals have a wide number of the features inherent to modern human.The origin of Neanderthals and the question whether they can be considered the ancestors of man has always been a sore point for scientists and the general public. This paper will develop a statement that Neanderthals can be regarded humans due to similarity with the modern human in a number of aspects and developed level of cultural consciousness.
The Similarities with the Modern Human
In the second half of the XX century, a number of researchers have suggested considering the Neanderthals the subspecies of Homo sapiens - Homo sapiens Neanderthalensis. The reason for this was the study of the physical appearance, lifestyle, culture, and intellectual abilities of Neanderthals. In addition, the Neanderthals are often regarded as direct ancestors of modern humans.
Similarity in Genome
The set of various tests was conducted in order to establish the presence of evolutionary relationships among primates, Neanderthals and modern people of different groups. In these tests, any similarities are observed due to the presence of a common ancestor. The received answers showed the following:
1. Neanderthals fit perfectly in a wide range of variety of modern humans;
2. the genome of Neanderthals is incredibly similar to the modern human genome;
3. there are just a few distinguishes between modern humans and Neanderthals.
Neanderthal genome and genome of modern humans differ by 0.16%. On the one hand, the differences are small. On the other, one can see which exactly different genes make up human "reasonable" nature. In other words, these genes are present in modern humans, but absent in chimpanzees, and the Neanderthals. However, these few established differences could disappear when scientists learn more about the genetic diversity of modern humans and ancient Neanderthals. The more humanity learns, the more the diversity is noted, therefore, the amount of the distinctions tends to decline over time.
The fact that causes significant interest of the scientific society is that the few variations that are similar in Neanderthals and modern humans appear only in people who live outside of Africa. Therefore, the Neanderthals not only are fully human beings, but there is an evidence indicating that they have interbred with the ancestors of modern Europeans, Asians, Australians and Native Americans, but not Africans. Thus, the Neanderthals are either close relatives or ancestors of people living outside Africa.
Similarity in Physical Data
Neanderthals had an average height (about 165 cm) and massive physique. They even surpassed modern humans by the volume of the cranium (1400-1600 cc and above). They are characterized by strong eyebrows, a prominent nose, and a very small chin. By craniological indicators, Neanderthals were dolichocephals. There are suggestions, that they could have red hair and pale skin. The researchers found that Neanderthals' maturity occurred earlier than the maturity of modern humans. Thus, physically they are superior to the modern man almost in all respects.
Judging by the fact that Neanderthals have hunted very fast and agile animal, it can be suggested that the power was combined with mobility in their body. Neanderthals mastered bipedalism completely, and in this sense they were not different from modern human. They had a well-developed hand; however, it was slightly wider and shorter than modern humans’ hands.
Neanderthals were very muscular human beings with large joints of the feet and hands. This type of anthropology is called hypersthenic, it is characterized by strong bones and power. This is the feature of the Neanderthal skeleton, which allows to avoid confusion with other ancient people.
The Neanderthal femur is not only massive, but also it is marked by a significant bend. Archeologists had thought that such a structure of bones is the result of pathology. Perhaps its massive bent backbone and femur are adaptive features allowing to survive in such a harsh environment. Generally, some features of appearance of the Neanderthal had more archaic traits that make them similar to Pithecanthropus; on the contrary, others were closer to the modern human species in its development. Thus, the physical structure of Neanderthal also gives the opportunity to consider them humans.
Neanderthals Capacity for Speech
One of the main features of the human which distinguish him from an animal is capacity for speech. When comparing the size of the hypoglossal channel in the skull of the modern man with a size of similar channels in the skulls of Neanderthals and anthropoid apes, it was established that size of Neanderthals hypoglossal channel was approximately equal to modern humans’ one. The nerve, which informs the brain of any movements of the tongue, approaches through this channel to the skull base. The ability of the living being to articulate speech depends on the size of this channel. Consequently, the Neanderthals were endowed with this ability that is one more evidence that they were the human.
The Level of Culture
Neanderthals developed a high level of culture, which is an irrefutable proof of the existence of the rudiments of human consciousness in them. For example, the earliest known musical instrument, bone flute with 4 holes, is associated with Neanderthal man. Also, Neanderthals were able to use a self-made tools and weapons. In 2003, the stone about 10 cm tall which has a striking resemblance to a human face was found. The stone is dated 35 thousand years ago. This important discovery is evidence that Neanderthals had an idea about art. The parallel scratches on the bones and the pits on the stone slab of unknown purpose are also associated with Neanderthals. In addition, there are the rare findings of ornaments in the form of drilled teeth of animals, dating about 30-34 thousand years ago. The only example of real painting is an image of leopard scratched on the bone dating about 30-40 thousand years ago which was found in Ukraine. Also, the painted shells with the small holes, which apparently served as decoration for Neanderthals were found.
Religion
Human consciousness in Neanderthals had developed to a high level which is evidenced by the presence of religion beliefs. Neanderthals were carriers of the Mousterian culture. In France, it has been found shallow burial of the skeleton in a fetal position. The flowers, eggs and meat were left next to the body. This fact may indicate a belief in life after death and the presence of religious and magical practices. There is no doubt that Neanderthals were the first hominids who buried their dead, respecting the magnificent ceremony. Some funeral customs of Neanderthals and modern humans are similar. The religious practice of European Neandert...