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UNIDAD 8: LA PREHISTORIA

ACTIVITY 24: NEANDERTAL MAN

  This illustration, from Juan Luis Arsurga, et al's Atapuerca, shows the difference between 
Modern man's and Neandertal's craniums.
Click on the image for a larger view.

 

 

 

1. Read the text.

As you can see in the image above, Neandertal bone structure and morphology was somewhat different from modern man's. Neandertals were better adapted for cold climates.

Another interesting thing about these hominids' morphology was that their bones were much larger and thicker than modern humans. Their leg, foot, and hand bones were especially sturdy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

a comparison

       This illustration, done by Diane Salles, in Ian Tattersall's, The Last Neanderthal, shows the differences that exist between modern human and Neandertal morphology! The Neandertal is on the left and the modern 
human is on the right. Click on the image for a full-sized view.

 

 

2. Read the text.

TOOLS AND WEAPONS

Neandertals made elaborate stone tools, which were a crucial part of their survival. They served as instruments for hunting, stripping flesh from animals, processing materials, and creating fire. The tool technology more commonly associated with the Neandertals is called Mousterian and lasts from 150,000 years ago until around 27,000 years ago.

These are Mousterian tools photographed by Ian Tattersall. 
From the left to right there is a scraper, and two small hand axes. 
On the top from right to left is another scraper and a flaked point.

 

3. Read the following text.

LIFEWAYS

Very little is known about the social structure and interaction of Neandertals among one another. They lived in "groups of 30 to 50 individuals, they invented many of the tool types that were to be perfected by fully sapient peoples, they had weapons adequate to deal with both the cave lion and cave bear, they used body paint, buried their dead and were clever flint workers.

The above image is from a diorama at the Museum of Natural History. The project was headed by Ian Tattersall. Click on the image for a larger view.

 

 

 

 

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