High Scientist: The Lives of Neanderthals

The discovery of the remains of human-like individuals millions of years old sparked a long-standing curiosity about the origins of humanity. Archaeological evidence has shed a ton of insight into who these pre-human creatures were, how they lived and how they eventually became humans.

One such group that particularly fascinates us is the Neanderthals. Perhaps this fascination stems from them having lived at the same time as anatomically modern humans and had larger brains, yet died out as we took over the globe.

Just the very word Neanderthal draws to mind the stereotype of the brute, cave-man eking out a miserable existence with his rock-hammer. But, in reality, the story is far more complex. Although their tool kits weren’t as complex as that of their ‘human’ counterparts, they used many tools very well designed for their jobs. They also had a complex cultural system believed to be unique to them alone. They created artwork, buried their dead, and took care of the disabled. Clearly, Neanderthals have gotten a bad rep.

Trying to understand what life was like for a Neanderthal is quite crazy, and even moreso when on a nice high. Survival was quite difficult, despite a vast food supply and pristine environment, living to 30 was likely considered reaching old age for them! Yet, as a species, they survived hundreds of thousands of years, far more than modern humans have managed thus far. So next time you’re looking to put your problems into perspective, learn more about these fascinating people who lived so very long ago.

This Neanderthal – BBC Documentary video is a great primer:

Here’s a few other links to get you started:

• An overview of Archaic human Culture
• A case by the Institute for Creating Research that Neanderthals Are Still Human
• Nova documentary, which examines Neanderthal DNA to see if they truly did die out or if they live on in us

Check out other posts from Weedist’s High Scientist series!