Question

What is a Neanderthal? In your account be sure to focus on what sets Neanderthals apart from anatomically modern Homo sapiens, both physically and psychologically. Be sure to bring in relevant research and examples to support your position. You are free to compare and contrast different scientific perspectives as long as your answer is evidence based.

Answer 1

Answer- Neanderthals are also known as Neandertals or Homo neanderthalensis are an extinct species or subspecies of archaic humans who lived in Eurasia until about 40,000 years ago. They probably went extinct due to competition with or extermination by immigrating modern humans or due to great climatic change, disease, or due to a combination of these factors.

Compared to modern humans, Neanderthals had a more robust build and proportionally shorter limbs. These features are often explained as adaptations to conserve heat in a cold climate, but may also be adaptations for sprinting in the warmer, forested landscape that Neanderthals often inhabited. This is evident from following evidence-

• Researches of folssils suggest that Neanderthals had more robust and stockier builds than modern humans, they had wider barrel-shaped rib cages, wider pelvises, and proportionally shorter forearms and forelegs.
• The fossil record shows adult Neanderthals varied from about 147.5 to 177 cm in height. For comparison, the average height of 16 Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic modern humans was 168.1 cm for males and 152.5 cm for females.
• For Neanderthal weight, samples of 26 specimens found an average of 77.6 kg (171 lb) for males and 66.4 kg (146 lb) for females. Using 76 kg (168 lb), the body mass index for Neanderthal males was calculated to be 26.9–28.2, which in modern humans correlates to being overweight. This indicates a very robust build.
• The Neanderthal LEPR gene concerned with storing fat and body heat production is similar to that of the woolly mammoth, and so was likely an adaptation for cold climate.
• The neck vertebrae of Neanderthals are longer and thicker than those of modern humans, lending to stability, possibly due to different head shape and size.
• Neanderthal thorax (where the ribcage is) was similar in size to modern humans, the longer and straighter ribs would have equated to a widened mid-lower thorax and stronger breathing in the lower thorax, which are indicative of a larger diaphragm and possibly greater lung capacity.