We all have heard about species.If we look around nature we will find different species of birds,fishes etc.But do we know that we also had human species?
Yes you heard it right.
Neanderthals,our second species were living in this world.
This article is all about our ancient relatives,there lifestyle and most importantly how they extincted.Lets start walking through the history.
The story behind the naming of Neanderthal:
Our,modern mens scientific name is Homo sapiens. The word Homo is a Latin word which means Human/Man.
Before 1856, a lot of Neanderthal fossils were discovered.But they were not a completed one.In Germany,there is a valley called Neanderthal valley.
The most completed Neanderthal fossil were discovered in German Neanderthal valley in 1856.
That was the most completed version in comparison with the previous ones.
As it was discovered in the Neanderthal valley,that's why it was named after the valley.In German,valley here means "Tal".
They pronounced the word "Tal" as "Thal".So the new species got the name "Neanderthal".
They are Internationally it is recognised as
Homo neanderthalensis. Generally our second species is called "Neanderthal"
Neanderthals our very close ancient relatives:
We,modern mens share a very close connection with the Neanderthals.We share some common genetic features.Neanderthals and Homo sapiens came from the common same ancestors.
Some genetic researches also say the same.We have some common DNA structures.Neanderthals emerged in this world millions of years ago.We modern humans got the chance to live with them.
Modern humans emerged in Europe, 60 or 70 thousand years ago. Neanderthals were living in Europe before that time.
But the sad truth is,they were extincted 30 or 40 thousand years ago.It is prominent that we and Neanderthals lived together for at least a thousand years.
Where Neanderthals lived?
Neanderthals were mainly emerged in the region of Europe and Asia.On the other hand modern humans were emerged in the African region.
Scientist and paleontologist, claimed Neanderthals fully developed themselves almost 4 lakh years ago Europe.There habitation area is from the Eurasian region,West Portugal and Wales to Siberian Altai mountains.
They were very good at migrating.Though at that time world temperature was very low and cold, Neanderthals managed to cope with the situation very nicely.
Intelligence and behavioural pattern of Neanderthals :
Though they were living in cave,from the genetic analysis we have come to know that they were very intelligent. There brain density was much more dense than us which makes them more intelligent.
Neanderthals use their intelligent to make highly efficient weapons like spare,bow and axe. They were able to create sophisticated technology.
They were also able to create weapons for day to day uses from bones of hunted animals.As they were mainly hunting and gathering society,they need to hunt to get food.
To get the best results of hunting,they needed more efficient weapons.By using there intelligence they can create those.
Mammoth, Dear and wild ox are there main hunts.From the fossils, genetical analysis scientist can clearly say that they were very good at using different weapons.
Communicating with the members of the tribe is the most advancement they got.They were able to maintain a good communication when they were in a hunting ground.
To live in the wild,fire is mandatory.Our ancient relatives discovered fire and learned to use fire for daily purpose.
As the weather is very cold,fire is also very necessary element for the survival. Neanderthals were living in a cave .To keep themselves warm and to protect themselves from the bad cold weather fire helped them a lot.
They also use animals skin to keep themselves warm. Neanderthals were very social like us and sympathetic to each other.
We have come to know from exploring there cave that they engrave their deceased members.
What Neanderthals used to eat?
They were mainly carnivorous but it is from the genetic study that they were vegetarian too. They mostly live on meat.
When they were searching for foods,sometimes they gathered herbs brought those to the caves.
They were used to ate Seal, Dolphins etc. From a cave of Gibraltar,some bones of Seal were discovered. They were also dependent on sea foods.
Can our ancient relatives talk?
Scientist aren't sure wheather they can talk or not. To talk we need to have some tissues in our vocal cord.But their tissues weren't preserved well. So we don't know.But from their facial shape and ear bone it is clear that they can hear clearly. Paleontologist later claim that they can talk very little between themselves.
How Neanderthals extinct?
Here are some possible reasons behind our ancient ancestors extinction.They were in this world for a long time.But there extinction is a big question.
So here are the some findings about there extinction:
1) Some say that we Homo sapiens are responsible for the extinction of Neanderthals. When modern humans emerged,almost 30-40 thousand years ago, Neanderthals and modern humans were living together. But modern humans are much more sophisticated than the Neanderthals.Then the game of survival begun. Neanderthals were not able to cop up with the abilities of modern humans.
2) Their reproduction rate is lower than the modern humans.They were losing grounds gradually. The number of modern humans were increasing rapidly.
3)Some research claim that Neanderthals were genetically weak in comparison with the modern humans.
4)Always changing climate condition also played a vital role for the extinction of Neanderthals. There was scarcity of food. Gradually they were running towards extinction day by day.
After roaming in this world for a thousands of years, Neanderthals extinct and we lose our ancient species forever.
