FREE ESSAY ON FOSSILS CATEGORIZED AS ARCHAIC HOMO SAPIENS

FOSSILS CATEGORIZED AS ARCHAIC HOMO SAPIENS

STUDY GUIDE 9
1.Describe general characteristics of fossils categorized as Archaic homo sapiens, their
temporal and geographic range. Exclude Neandertals. Discuss some of the problems
associated with the understanding of this fossil taxon.
(a) Increased cranial capacity
(b) Appear more similar to modern humans
(c) Reduced face, less prognathic, greater frontal lobe
(d) Thick cranial bones, no chin
Archaic fossils have been found in Europe, Africa and Asia. Problems arise because there
is very little fossil record and they are too young to date with pot/argon and too old to
date with radiocarbon. 
2.Over time neandertals have been considered both extremely primitive and nearly modern.
Discuss morphological characteristics that distinguish them from both Homo Erectus and
anatomically modern sapiens. What does post-cranial morphology indicate about their life
histories and life ways in general?
MORPHOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES:
1. Larger brains than modern humans
2. Shape of the skulls differed, football shaped
3. Flat front
4. Bulge in the back of the skull
5. No chin
6. Large face and prognathic
POST CRANIAL MORPHOLOGY:
1 very robust
2. Heavily muscled
3. Barrel shaped rib cage
4. Very strong hands
They appear to be built to endure very cold conditions, they lived during descent into a
full glacial period. They needed to be able to conserve heat in a very strenuous
environment. 
3.Fossil evidence indicates that neadertals were extinct by 25,000 years ago. Identify
features of their skeletal morphology, mortality profiles and apparent life ways that
might explain their disappearance from the fossil record.
Neadertals were very robust, short limbs, barreled rib cage and strong hands that
required high levels of calories to survive. They lived very short lives and they
exhibited bone fractures and cranial injuries. Bone fractures consistent with rodeo
cowboys, suggests that they were taking large prey. They juvenile mortality rate was high
also, which points towards the idea that life was very difficult, too difficult for most
to survive. 
4.Richard Klein and Lewis Binford have taken opposite stands regarding neadertal hunting
capabilities. Outline their arguments. Select and defend one position.
KLEIN: Claims neanderatls were proficient hunters by the accumulation bison bone in one
place, points toward the idea that neandertals were targeting them. The species found
were too abundant to be found in one place, unless they were being killed. Also some
stone tool marks on meatiest part of bone suggests that they weren't left by scavengers
but killed by neandertals.
BINFORD: claims that neandertals were only scavengers, most of the bones found were only
skull and feet bones. Thus pointing towards the idea that they were killing small prey
and scavenging large already made kills.
5.What does the fossil record suggest regarding religious practices and altruistic
behavior among neandertal populations? Is the fossil record consistent with respect to
these issues?
It suggests that neandertals cared for disabled, evidence shows disabilities that
required care by other members of the group. Burial recovery of skeletons with bone
fractures that suggest they were being cared for, they survived where they would not have
without help. Also evidence that they buried their dead, bodies have been found in
association of goods. Suggests religious practice and altruistic behavior, contemporary
to modern human populations. The Fossil record is consistent to the point where we can
assume they were taking care of them, if monkeys and apes can do it so could Neandertals.