Today, there is only one species of hominin existing on the planet, Homo sapiens

Question

Today, there is only one species of hominin existing on the planet, Homo sapiens. This week's discussion forum asks you to envision an alternate reality where Neanderthals did not become extinct, but instead share the earth with modern humans.

Given this scenario, describe what you think would be the position of Neanderthals in our society? For example, would they be integrated into modern human society, or totally separate? What types of occupations might they have? Would they be discriminated against or enslaved? Even considered animals and locked in zoos? In your response, apply what you have learned from the reading about Neanderthal anatomical features, intelligence, genetics and culture.

Explanation / Answer

Neanderthals lived on planet earth about 150000 to 30000 years ago. Compared with modern humans or Homo sapiens sapiens they were shorter in height and had a smaller brain capacity. Brain capacity is seen to increase steadily from pre-man stage to mordern humans. Tool use, Tool manufacture, interaction abilties, speech and a growing complex social life led to brain capacity increase along with secondary changes such as shifting of foramen magnum towards anterior, total facial plate including forehead becoming high. Neanderthals also had brow ridge which is almost absent in mordern man. Anatomically they are different in many ways. Now, if neanderthals existed in our society today they would probably be considered a part of human society but as inferior beings. It is highly unlikely they would be considered animals and locked in zoos. They will want to live away from mordern human societies and big cities and live together in communities in villages. They may not be as technoligically advanced as mordern men are today but will have better skills in engineering than the had 50000 years ago. They would mostly live a simple life with occupations such as farming , fishing, tool manufacturing etc. Discrimation in humans have always been present on the grounds of race, caste, religion and neanderthals are a different species altoghther. So, it is likely that discrimination in some form or the other will occur. But it will be very unlikely that they will be enslaved. They will have their own rights in society. Also, Neanderthals are adopted for cold climates so they will not migrate to tropical countries and live on the colder countries. Many researchers believe that Homo sapiens and neanderthals coexisted in europe around 40000-30000 years ago before Neanderthals became extinct. It is believed that they socially co existed well during that time and fossils of hybrid between them have been found which can be a result of their mating.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.