NEANDERTHALS

The discovery of new bones and techniques has increased our knowledge of Neanderthal. The fossils can be studied with a greater knowledge of anatomical functions. Recent archaeological work is adding additional knowledge. Neanderthal lived from western Europe to central Asia between 75 000 and about 35 000 years ago. They can be differentiated from other human beings who lived in other parts of the world during the 40 000-35 000 year period. There are some differences between Neanderthal and modern man. The brain of Neanderthal is larger. The Neanderthal population declined for a number of reasons. They may have found it hard to compete with the Upper Paleolithic people with their better stoneworking techniques and a more highly developed sociocultural system. -Forrest McElhoe Jr.