NEANDERTHALS Meaning and
Definition
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Neanderthals (pronounced nee-an-der-thawls) were an extinct species of human-like beings that lived in Europe and parts of western Asia during the Pleistocene Epoch (approximately 400,000 to 40,000 years ago). The term "Neanderthals" is derived from the valley of Neander in Germany, where the first fossil remains of these prehistoric humans were discovered in 1856.
Neanderthals were closely related to modern humans but had distinct physical characteristics. They possessed a robust and stocky build, with a strong musculature and shorter stature compared to Homo sapiens. They had a prominent brow ridge, a receding forehead, and a more projecting face. Neanderthals had a relatively large brain, roughly equal in size to that of modern humans.
These ancient hominins were skilled hunters and gatherers, adapting to various environmental conditions. They crafted stone tools using techniques known as "flake tools" and "hand axes," indicating a level of cognitive ability and innovation. They also had the ability to control fire, which played a significant role in their survival and lifestyle.
Neanderthals lived in small groups and had complex social structures. They demonstrated cultural practices, including burying their dead and creating intricate tools and ornaments. They possessed a capacity for language and likely had their own primitive form of communication.
Eventually, Neanderthals vanished from the fossil record around 40,000 years ago, likely due to a combination of factors, including climate change, competition with Homo sapiens, and possible interbreeding between the two species. The genetic legacy of Neanderthals can still be found in the DNA of modern humans of non-African descent, suggesting some level of interbreeding between the two
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Etymology of NEANDERTHALS
The word "Neanderthals" is derived from the Neander Valley, abbreviated as "Neander" in German, where the first fossil remains of a distinct human ancestor were discovered in 1856. The Neander Valley is located near Düsseldorf, Germany, and the fossils were found in a limestone quarry called Feldhofer Grotto. The fossils belonged to an extinct species of humans, later named Homo neanderthalensis or Neanderthals. The name "Neander" originates from Joachim Neander, a 17th-century German theologian and hymn writer, who took his pseudonym from the ancient Greek word "νέανδρος" (neandros) meaning "new man" to reflect his spiritual beliefs. The similarity between Neanderthal fossils and the Neander Valley sparked the use of the name "Neanderthal" to identify the early human species as well.
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