History of the Neanderthals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGoh7t0oDKQ&feature=emb_title

DO THE READINGS AND WATCH THE VIDEO BEFORE DOING THIS ASSIGNMENT

You may have already used this guide for taking notes, but the answers you turn in for this assignment must be in complete sentences and be proofread for grammar, plurals, and words repeated or left out. Write a short paragraph (several sentences) to answer each question. In addition to the video, use Haviland Chapter 1 (pages 3, 6, & 12) and the discussion of archaic humans and Neanderthals in Chapter 4. Use the linked reconstructions of how Neanderthals may have looked and refer to these as either Gurche’s or Daynes’ models. If you find your own web sources, link these to your answer. Follow the instructions below carefully for how to cite sources. Citing sources is REQUIRED TO RECEIVE CREDIT FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT. Examples of how to cite sources are below and also in the Welcome information under Protocols.

Video Guide: PBS: “Decoding Neanderthals” (web link calls it History of the Neanderthals)

1. Briefly, in what ways do paleo-anthropologists use fossils (bones), artifacts and genetics to understand how Neanderthals looked and their ways of life?

A) The Differences

1. What physical features make Neanderthals different from modern humans?

2. What cultural features distinguish Neanderthals from us?

3. How have Neanderthals been reconstructed and interpreted so as to emphasize differences with modern humans?

B) The Similarities

1. In what ways are Neanderthals physically and genetically similar to us (modern humans)?

2, What cultural features do Neanderthals share with us?

3. How have Neanderthals been reconstructed and interpreted so as to emphasize similarities to modern humans?

4. How are definitions and characteristics of human culture used in debates about if Neanderthals are smart, well adapted and close to us or dumb and extinct?

5. In what ways do you think the point of view of the interpreter plays a role in the story that is told about Neanderthals? (Extinction and Assimilation Viewpoints) The interpreter may be an anthropologist or you as an interested individual.

6. Are you aware of extinction theories applied to social groups other than Neanderthals? If so, briefly explain.

7. You will find that there are lots of articles about Neanderthals on the web. Why do you think modern people today are so interested in Neanderthals and what may have happened to them? For more information on History of the Neanderthals visit this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neanderthal