What Was Neanderthal Like?

Based on the brief description and the information from the previous handout, answer the questions that follow.

Homo neanderthalensis lived in Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East between 200,000 and 30,000 years ago. They were large hominids with stocky builds, prominent brow ridges, small chins, sloping foreheads, and a cranial capacity larger than that of modern humans. For a time they coexisted with Homo sapiens. They are probably descended from Homo erectus but did not evolve into Homo sapiens. Fossil and archeological evidence indicates that they hunted cooperatively, lived in caves at times, cared for the infirm, and buried their dead.

Part A: 1. Speculate as to why Neanderthal disappeared. Give at least four reasons.

2. List the roles or occupations of Neanderthal.

3. What evidence might be used to indicate that Neanderthals had speech?

4. What personal traits might Neanderthals have possessed that led them to care for the sick and bury their dead ceremonially? Part B: Write an essay of approximately 100 words titled “A Day in the Life of Neanderthal”(everything on this handout, to this point, totals 187 words)