01:070:111 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Cave Bear, Upper Paleolithic, Megafaunal Wolf
27 Mar 2018
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Document Summary
100 years ago, first fossil hominin species found. 1st theory- flat heads (native american tribe) M boule (1911) reconstructed the first neanderthal skeleton. Always contrasted to living humans (or our recent ancestors) Early phys anthro often used to justify world position of western white men. Not only neanderthals, but other races simply lower steps on the ladder leading to european white male. Appearance depends on the beliefs of the reconstructors. Primitive neanderthal idea has not completely disappeared. Hominin species living in eurasia, mostly western europe. Classic neanderthals appear around 120 ka (thousand years ago) Earlier specimen show clear neanderthal traits 400 ka. Very big brains (bigger than ours in absolute size but about the same relative to body weight) Stocky bodies (big torso, shorter extremities- adaptation to cold?) Varied diets- lots of game, collecting plants and seafood. Technologies- prepared cores, hafted (complex) tools, woodworking. Neanderthals very successfully occupied europe for a long time, forested environments- both warm and cold.
