Jakarta –
Homo neanderthalensis is one of the ancient human fossils found in Europe. The characteristics of Homo neanderthalensis are similar to modern humans (Homo sapiens) so it is said to be a transition from ancient humans to modern humans.
Its fossils are scattered across the Eurasian plains, from Western Europe to Central and North Asia. They lived around 400,000-40,000 years ago.
Check out this article to find out the characteristics of Homo neanderthalensis, complete with the history of their discovery, life and how to survive, until the reason they became extinct.
Ciri-ciri Neanderthal Man
In the Class X History module published by the Ministry of Education and Culture entitled Similarities and Differences between Ancient Humans and Modern Humans (2020) by Hasnawati, it was explained that Homo neanderthal had a more advanced culture than Homo erectus.
Because its characteristics are close to modern humans, some researchers group Homo neanderthalensis as early Homo sapiens. However, the type of fossil that is truly considered to be the first Homo sapiens is the Cro magnon type.
The characteristics of the ancient human Homo Neanderthalensis are as follows:
- Has a thin chin and low forehead.
- The size of the brain is around 1,400 cc to 1,500 cc.
- Had a stronger skeleton than modern people.
- The height is around 152-156 cm for women and 165-168 cm for men.
- His jaw protrudes.
History of the Discovery of Homo Neanderthalensis
Quoted from The Smithsonian’s Museum Conservation Institute website, the first recognized specimen of Homo neanderthalensis was Neanderthal 1. The fossil was discovered in 1856 in Germany.
When discovered in 1864, a similar fossil was given a name. Geologist William King proposed the name Homo neanderthalensis based on the discovery location in Feldhofer Cave, Neander Valley, Germany. Neander Valley in German is Neanderthal.
Several years later, scientists realized that fossils discovered in 1829 in Engis, Belgium, and in 1848 in the Forbes Mine, Gibraltar were also Neanderthals. So these two discoveries are the first Neanderthal fossils found.
The Life of Homo Neanderthalensis
Furthermore, the results of research by experts state the life pattern of Homo neanderthalensis as follows.
Food
The existence of Homo neanderthalensis around Europe meant that they had to adapt to winter. Even though they like to gather plants, they cannot obtain vegetable ingredients all year round like ancient humans in tropical Africa.
In winter, Homo neanderthalensis had to look for other food, so they hunted, for example looking for reindeer in winter. In summer, they may also hunt red deer.
This is proven by the discovery of sharp wooden spears and a number of remains of Neanderthal hunted animals. Another proof from the coast of Gibraltar, they exploit marine resources such as mollusks, seals, dolphins and fish.
The results of chemical isotope analysis of Neanderthalensis bones show that the average Neanderthal diet was mostly meat. Then, molar plaque containing starch granules proves that they also eat plants.
Equipment
In terms of tools, Homo neanderthalensis used sophisticated flake tools released from prepared stone cores.
This technique allows fragments with predetermined shapes to be removed and made into tools from a suitable stone.
The Acheuleans carried different traditions from Homo erectus. They made tools from stone that was broken into tool shapes by removing the flakes on the surface.
This equipment is used for hunting. Indications regarding this can be seen from the asymmetrical left and right arms. This suggests that they hunted by thrusting tools, not by throwing spears.
Another discovery was a tool for sewing, namely a scraper and awl made of stone or bone which was larger than the sewing needles we usually use today. Neanderthals were the first ancient humans to wear clothes.
A scraper may also be used to clean animal skin, and use an awl to puncture the animal’s skin, then use pieces of animal tissue to knit loose clothing.
Homo neanderthalensis also had the ability to use fire. They already have a place to live. Sometimes they make symbolic or ornamental objects.
There is also evidence that Neanderthals deliberately buried their dead and sometimes marked their graves with offerings, such as flowers.
Cause of Extinction
Based on the book Sangiran Answering the World (2009) published by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Homo neanderthalensis was actually able to make fire, and even make houses out of wood. However, they became extinct because they were unable to withstand the natural conditions which were quite cold at that time.
Even though their fossil remains are found to be quite abundant, there is an impression that many of them died young, even when they were less than 20 years old. This species only lasted no more than 100,000 years, a period that could be said to be very short for the process of human evolution.
Another opinion is that the extinction of Neanderthals was caused by disease epidemics, which are reflected by traces of pathology in their fossil remains.
That’s what we have learned about the characteristics of Homo neanderthalensis, starting from the morphology, complete with the history of its discovery, life and extinction.
Watch the video “Getting to Know How Ancient Balinese Man Survived from Age to Age”
(bai/inf)
2024-02-14 01:30:32
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