Neanderthals were a species of hominins that lived in Europe and parts of Asia from about 400,000 to 40,000 years ago. They are closely related to modern humans and are considered a separate branch of the human family tree.
Large brow
ridges: Neanderthals had prominent brow ridges that extended over their eye
sockets. These brow ridges are thought to have served as protection for the
eyes and may have also played a role in providing additional attachment sites
for strong jaw muscles.
Describe the
craniofacial features of Neanderthals
Mid-facial
prognathism: Neanderthals had a forward projecting mid-face, which resulted in
a slightly protruding upper jaw. This feature gave their faces a distinctive
shape that is different from modern humans.
Large nasal
aperture: Neanderthals had a large, wide nasal opening, which suggests that
they had a large nose. This feature may have helped them adapt to cold, dry
climates by allowing them to warm and humidify the air they breathed in.
Robust
cranial structure: Neanderthals had thick, robust skulls with a prominent
occipital bun at the back of the skull. This may have served as an attachment
site for the strong neck muscles required to support their large heads.
Overall,
Neanderthals had a distinctive craniofacial morphology that set them apart from
modern humans. These features likely reflect adaptations to their environment
and lifestyle, as well as their evolutionary history.
Neanderthals
were a species of hominins that lived in Europe and parts of Asia from about
400,000 to 40,000 years ago. They are closely related to modern humans and are
considered a separate branch of the human family tree. Some of the notable
features of Neanderthals are:
Physical
appearance: Neanderthals were generally shorter and more heavily built than
modern humans. They had a larger braincase than earlier hominins, with an
average brain size slightly larger than that of modern humans. They had a stocky,
muscular build with short limbs, and a wide chest and pelvis. Their bodies were
adapted to cold environments with short, stout limbs, and a barrel-shaped chest
to conserve heat.
Behavior and
Culture: Neanderthals were skilled hunters and scavengers who hunted large
mammals such as woolly mammoths, bison, and reindeer. They lived in small
groups and used caves and rock shelters as shelters. They made tools from
stone, bone, and wood, and created fire, which helped them survive in cold
environments.
Genetic makeup:
Neanderthals interbred with modern humans who migrated out of Africa. Today,
people of non-African descent carry about 1-4% Neanderthal DNA in their genome.
Speech and
language: It is still debated whether Neanderthals had a complex language, but
recent studies suggest that they may have had some form of vocal communication.
Overall,
Neanderthals were a unique and successful species that lived for hundreds of
thousands of years, adapted to harsh environments, and left a genetic legacy in
modern humans.
Homo erectus is
an extinct species of early human that lived from about 2 million to 100,000
years ago. They were the first human species to migrate out of Africa, and
their fossils have been found in Africa, Europe, and Asia. Some of the notable
craniofacial features of Homo erectus are:
Large
braincase: Homo erectus had a brain size larger than that of earlier hominins
and closer to that of modern humans. The average cranial capacity of Homo
erectus was around 1000cc, which is larger than that of Homo habilis and Homo
rudolfensis.
Pronounced brow
ridges: Homo erectus had prominent brow ridges above the eye sockets, which
projected forward and gave the face a distinctive shape. These brow ridges
provided additional attachment sites for strong jaw muscles and protected the
eyes from glare and impact.
Sagittal keel:
Homo erectus had a raised, longitudinal ridge on the top of the skull called a
sagittal keel. This feature served as an attachment site for the neck muscles,
which helped support the weight of the skull.
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Low forehead:
Unlike modern humans, Homo erectus had a low, sloping forehead that receded
quickly from the brow ridges. This feature is thought to be related to their
brain shape and size.
Prognathic
face: Homo erectus had a projecting lower jaw that protruded beyond the upper
jaw, resulting in a slightly prognathic face.
Overall, the
craniofacial features of Homo erectus are distinct from those of earlier
hominins and modern humans. These features likely reflect adaptations to their
environment and lifestyle, as well as their evolutionary history.