Origins of Culture. Similarities and differences of the Neanderthal group and the modern human - Essay Example

?Introduction A fossil that seemed controversial was found several decades ago in Germany in a valley best known as Neander near to Dusseldorf. Initially, the fossil resembled human being but several studies later revealed that the fossil was an ape. Following the significant revelation, the fossil has remained a major proof of the evolutionary possibility of humanity. The fossil was called a Neanderthal man and was scientifically classified as a Homo Neanderthalensis. This clearly portrayed that the fossil traits were distinct to those of a human beings. However, following a series of studies, the evolutionary theory was later cracked and collapsed and Homo Neanderthalensis was reclassified into a new scientific classification called Homo Sapiens Neanderthalensis. This is because the fossil appeared more human than it was previously established and was considered sub-human. Hot debate is ongoing on classification of the German based fossil as a sub-human because many historians and anthropologists believe that Homo Sapien Neanderthalensis did not have all the traits of a human being. This is because according to Lubenow (2004, p. 207), the controversial argument has mainly resulted from Neanderthals various deficiencies especially those concerning their mental, physical and even the cultural capabilities. However, different explanations exist regarding the physical abnormalities. Adequate proof also concerning culture, intellect and even interaction between the Neanderthal and the modern human has been presented. Fabrega (2002) stated that technological innovation of Neanderthals indicated that there was curation, planning, skilled craftsmanship. They also had above average mental capabilities including manufacture of blades and bones tools. Similarities and differences of the Neanderthal group and the modern human First, both the Neanderthal individuals and the modern human belong to a symbolic community. The two groups were able to come up with a communal map using their own knowledge gained from their daily exposure to memory stores that are external and various rituals, especially when burying the death. In the case of the modern man, their behaviour and cognition results mainly from the various beliefs, rules and values that govern their behaviour. All these form a symbolic cultural meaning to all things present and actions committed by them (chase, 1994). Secondly, various archaeological records bring out possible culture of music. In the archaeological records, there is clear evidence distinctly portraying the existence of music in the world of Neanderthal that resembled that of the modern man. Neanderthal flutes that were fragmented discovered indicate that the Neanderthal individual appreciated music just like a modern man. In fact, the Neanderthal flute was similar to western music’s seven-note system, which clearly portrayed the existing similarities between the Neanderthal people and the modern man. At the present age, people still appreciates music in a variety of ways. Third, both the Neanderthal individuals and the modern man practiced symbolism. There is evidence of burial practices by the Neanderthal individuals and burial practices are believed to be symbolic. Symbolism utilization by the Neanderthal individuals is clearly portrayed in the archaeological records. For example, a baby’s remains were revealed when a site located in Israel was unearthed. A bone belonging to a red deer had been positioned cautiously on the baby’s hip and buried. Still in Israel, at a place known as Qafzeh another baby belonging to the Neanderthal people was discovered. The baby was buried across a Neanderthal male’s feet. Lastly, another use of symbolism was witnessed in Syria and was perceived as having been the greatest evidence. This mainly concerned a small Neanderthal baby who had been buried deep in a pit. With it, laid a flint tool in a location where initially the baby’s heart had been crushed. All these examples clearly portray that the Neanderthal individuals exhibited the good potential of symbolic behaviour. These demonstrate vividly excellent social capabilities of symbolic behaviour of Neanderthal individuals. Just like the Neanderthal individuals, the modern man appreciates the use of symbols to express their ideas, actions and their anticipations. Fourth, both Neanderthal individuals and the modern man appreciated and cared for the sick and the elderly. Historical (archeological) evidence indicates that Neanderthal individuals cared for their elderly and their crippled members. There are Neanderthals fossils that had healed injuries and chronic diseases, which imply that people who were not able to fend for themselves were able to live for many years despite their physical incapabilities and diseases. Modern man also cared and provided for people who were weak in their community due to advanced age and or sicknesses. Fifth, both Neanderthal individuals and the modern man were cannibals. However, modern man exhibited diet variety because they included fish and vegetables to their diet, while Neanderthal individuals were mainly cannibals. Sixth, both Neanderthal individuals and the modern man used tools, equipments and weapons. Tools were used to make caves by the Neanderthals while modern man used tools and equipments to make shelters and boats among others. Weapons were used by Neanderthal man to hunt and defend self and the modern man uses them for the same purpose to date. Seventh, there was significant interaction between Neanderthal individuals and the modern man. The interaction between the two can be portrayed clearly using the available evidence. It is possible to proof that both the Neanderthal man and the modern man lived together. It cannot be realistic to believe that the there was no existence of contact between the modern man and the Neanderthals considering that they lived close to each other. This can be argued using history as it clearly states that when a given group of people cohabits for a given number of years they in most cases intermingle together. Furthermore, according to Johansson (2005 p. 71), multiregionalism proponents are convinced that both Neanderthal man and the modern man had interaction; this was evidenced by the DNA of the ancient Australian fossil called Mungo Man. In Lagar Velho, Portugal, the discovery of Neanderthal-sapiens hybrid Child and after scientists conducted various studies and analysis; they concluded that the skeleton was as a result of intermarriage between the Neanderthal people and the modern human. Hence, the intermarriage is perceived as being good evidence of the Neanderthal humanity. The argument is that the possibility of intermarriage and reproduction takes place only between groups of similar specie. In addition, In 1999 in a cave in Vindija, Croatia, the Neanderthals skulls were found together with bone tools believed to be invention of the modern man. The tools were believed to have been acquired by the Neanderthals through trade or imitation. The Neanderthals people and the modern humans were buried side by side. It is considered that since time in memorial, human beings have always conducted burials of their dead people in the same place where other dead individuals belonging to their culture and religion had been buried. Hence, it is argued that since the modern man and the Neanderthals buried their own besides that of one another, it is proper to conclude that the Neanderthals interacted closely with the modern man and this justifies all these groups being termed as fully human. Eighth, there is evidence that both the Neanderthal man and the modern man had similar postural abilities, control of movement and manual dexterities. This means that both individuals were similar to some degree. Both individuals were also able to endure the harsh conditions during the ice age. Ninth, both Neanderthal individuals and the modern man buried their dead. Waldman and Mason (2006, p. 896) revealed that the Neanderthals buried their dead and placed flowers because flower pollens were found with skeletons. The above evidence indicates that both individuals were aware self and others. There are evidences that indicate that Neanderthal man and the modern man were distinct. First, the Neanderthal man did not practice art as compared to the modern man. Modern man introduced art; engravings on bone, statuettes of bone and stone as well as cave paintings and personal decoration. There were also strings of beads. However, the Neanderthal man did not posses art, paintings or did not wear jewelry. Modern man wore art including jewelry and mask and in the far undergrounds of the modern man, there were cave paintings that formed part of the piece of art among the modern man. Jewelry, cave paintings as well as facemasks are still appreciated by the modern man to this very age and time. Secondly, the Neanderthal man and the modern man were different in terms of physical appearances. Aviezer (1990 p. 93) revealed that Professor Eldregde opposed the idea that modern men and Neanderthals have direct ancestral linkage. This is because of differences in physical make up of the two individuals. The modern man had a sharp chin, high vaulted forehead, smaller brain and weak brow as compared to that of the Neanderthal man. In addition, the Neanderthal man had a firm grip as well as strong and large body than that of modern man. Third, modern man was more culturally advanced that the Neanderthals man. Modern man had advanced tools and weapons. The modern man also constructed shelters, invented superior bone and stone tools, use and controlled fire, improved their hunting patterns and invented boats among many other inventions. The above inventions indicate superior mental capabilities of the modern man. Conclusion Existence of similarities between the two groups is evident especially with the consideration that they were involved music. In addition, the Neanderthal people and the modern man shared various symbolic practices such as burial of the dead. It is also considered that two groups were living together in the past for several evolutionary years. There is also clear evidence that interbreeding between the two groups took place hence, absorption of the Neanderthals into the modern culture. However, there is evidence to show that the modern man had superior mental capabilities than the Neanderthal man. Furthermore, physical characteristics of the both individuals were different. To sum it all, the Neanderthals and modern man have numerous similarities as compared to their differences. References Aviezer, N 1990, In the beginning--: Biblical creation and science, KTAV Publishing House, Inc., New Jersey. Chase, PG 1994, ‘On symbols and the Paleolithic’, Current Anthropology, vol. 35 no. 5, pp. 627-9. Johansson, S 2005, Origins of language: constraints on hypotheses, John Benjamins Publishing Company, Philadelphia, USA. Marvin, LL 2004, Bones of contention, Baker books, Michigan, USA. Fabrega, H 2002, Origins of psychopathology: the phylogenetic and cultural basis of mental illness, Rutgers University Press, New Jersey Waldman, C. & Mason, C 2006, Encyclopedia of European peoples, Volume 1, Infobase Publishing, New York. Bert, T 2002, Neanderthal man another look. viewed 7 September 2011, . Read More