Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Wondering about Neanderthals

Have you ever been called a Neanderthal?  It is supposed to be a derogatory remark.  But weren't they the ones that taught modern man how to use tools?  Yes, but they are never thought of as teachers.  What are your opinions of neanderthals?

I was reading about the fossils that were unearthed near Dmanisi, Georgia.  No, not the state of Georgia, but the Country of Georgia.  Here is a picture of one of the skulls they found:

He is staring right at you!!  So, you may wonder what he would look like if he were alive.  Well, it just so happens that I found an illustration that an artist did, showing how they may have appeared.



When we hear the term "Neanderthal", we think of a dim witted brute that is bent over, dragging their knuckles on the ground.  But that isn't the case.  They walked straight up, just like we do.  So, why do we have that impression of them?  Well, it just so happens that one of the first discovered remains that were reconstructed was bent over with a severe case arthritis. I bet you didn't know that, I didn't.

They were good artists but were not good talkers, since their vocal chords were incapable of making a lot of the vowel sounds.  But they did paint the walls of their caves and themselves.  Now, you know if someone calls you a Neanderthal, you can stand up straight and have a great day?

16 comments:

  1. I didn't realize about the arthritis. I think our species always has (and probably always will) belittled any creature just a bit different than ourselves. Ironically, there are humans today who carry some of the Neanderthal's DNA!

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    1. Yes, in fact, most all of us carry the Neanderthal's DNA. Of course, it looks like some more than others (grin).

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  2. You should read the book series,,starting with Clan of the Cave Bear. LOVED those books. By Jean Auel. She did so much research on those times, makes them real, and also great stories.

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    1. Yes The Clan of the Cave Bear is a great set of books. They will keep you amused, and learning, for a long time.

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    2. I even re-read them this last summer. Loved them that much.

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    3. I will have to find them. If you all liked them, they must be good.

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  3. I've read those books by Jean Auel... liked the first one or two. You should see Bill today... he's hobbling around like a ..... neanderthal... knuckles dragging. Okay... not funny.... but something happened to his hip (maybe the neanderthal arthritus?) and he's trying real hard to walk upright. That is... after driving over 300 miles.... we're finally on our way west. But... back to those "cavemen".... don't you wonder if they were frustrated with their (lack of) communication skills... or did they communicate just fine... not in speech? The thing about those Jean Auel books is, I felt like they romanticized and simplified the process of "evolution".

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    1. I believe the Neanderthal could communicate, but all their words would have to have been all in consonants. (grin)

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    2. That may explain how the Czech, Slovak, Macedonian, Serbian, Croatian and Slovenian languages evolved; there are many words that do not have vowels as we know them.

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    3. OMG odd essay.. they were FICTION. But filled with all her research of those times.

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  4. If you ever get to wondering about meanderthals, the expert is right over here at my blog.

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    1. I bet the Neanderthals were also meanderthals. . .

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    2. Considering what they had to work with, they did quite well! Good thing for us that they did!

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    3. Yep, they had a long existence.

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