The Neanderthals: a Social Synthesis

Davies, Robert; Underdown, Simon

doi:10.1017/s0959774306000096

Cited by 31 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 91 publications

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supporting

confidence: 52%

“…We therefore suggest that this taphonomic explanation for the pattern should be the null hypothesis. This would help reconcile the authors' observation that the evidence for fire use increases over time with the work of others who have demonstrated an apparent scarcity of fire evidence overall, which appears in only a very small percentage of occupation layers (Cohen-Ofri et al 2006;Davies and Underdown 2006;Dibble et al 2009;Gowlett 2006;James 1989;Perlès 1981;Roebroeks and Tuffreau 1999).Here we present evidence, based on recent excavations by the authors at two Mousterian sites in southwest France, Pech de l'Azé IV and Roc de Marsal, for the persistent scarcity of fire well after its first occurrence in the European Middle Paleolithic record. What these data strongly suggest is that while Neandertals occasionally used fire, there were also major periods of time when fires were either not present at these sites or were present only sporadically, even during periods of relatively cold conditions.…”

supporting

confidence: 51%

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Sandgathe¹,

Dibble

Goldberg³

et al. 2011

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Though the earliest evidence for the use of fire is a subject of debate, it is clear that by the late Middle Paleolithic, Neandertals in southwest France were able to use fire. The archaeological record of fire use in this place and time is, however, quite patchy. While there are a growing number of sites with impressive evidence for fire use, there are also a much larger number of sites without such evidence. Based primarily on evidence from two recently excavated well-stratified Middle Paleolithic sites, we argue here that taphonomic issues, sampling bias, or site use are not sufficient explanations to account for the relative lack of evidence for fire. Given that modern huntergatherers use fire daily and in a wide variety of circumstances, the prolonged periods of Mousterian occupation without fires, even during some of the harshest conditions of the late Pleistocene, raises significant issues regarding the role of fire during these times. In our view, the evidence suggests that Western European Neandertals were not habitual fire users. One explanation advanced here is that at least some Neandertals, even in the late Middle Paleolithic, lacked the technological skill to make fire on demand, and thus relied on access to natural sources of fire. (Sandgathe et al. 2011a). So while the results provided by them make it clear that there is increasing evidence for fire through the Middle Paleolithic, it seems likely that this pattern is driven by the number of dated Middle Paleolithic contexts, which also increases through time. We therefore suggest that this taphonomic explanation for the pattern should be the null hypothesis. This would help reconcile the authors' observation that the evidence for fire use increases over time with the work of others who have demonstrated an apparent scarcity of fire evidence overall, which appears in only a very small percentage of occupation layers (Cohen-Ofri et al. 2006;Davies and Underdown 2006;Dibble et al. 2009;Gowlett 2006;James 1989;Perlès 1981;Roebroeks and Tuffreau 1999).Here we present evidence, based on recent excavations by the authors at two Mousterian sites in southwest France, Pech de l'Azé IV and Roc de Marsal, for the persistent scarcity of fire well after its first occurrence in the European Middle Paleolithic record. What these data strongly suggest is that while Neandertals occasionally used fire, there were also major periods of time when fires were either not present at these sites or were present only sporadically, even during periods of relatively cold conditions. As will be argued below, the near absence of fire evidence in some levels at these sites cannot be explained by taphonomic processes, excavation bias, or changes in site function, and furthermore, the length of time these sites were occupied without using fire to any significant degree is totally inconsistent with modern hunter-gatherer use of fire. This evidence challenges the assumption of immediate and widespread use of fire, and at least in the case of western European Neandertals, i...

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supporting

confidence: 52%

supporting

confidence: 51%

Untitled

Sandgathe¹,

Dibble

Goldberg³

et al. 2011

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“…The Neanderthals at Shanidar probably lived in small, kin-based, mixed-age groups that were highly mobile and frequently travelled between settlements in the region (Pettitt, 2000). Biologically, they resembled other Neanderthals discovered in Europe and had a more robust skeleton, more well-developed muscle attachment sites, greater weight, smaller height, lower sexual dimorphism and higher levels of developmental stress compared to anatomically modern humans in the region (Davies & Underdown, 2006). The Shanidar Neanderthals were probably skilled, strategic hunters that had a knowledge of fire and subsisted on a diet of mainly meat, as evidenced by the bones of goats, sheep and cattle that were found at the site (Solecki, 1971).…”

Section: Lifeways Context Of Shanidar Neanderthalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is possible the cranial trauma was the primary injury that may have indirectly resulted in the secondary injuries, particularly the paralysis of the right arm via damage to the motor cortex (Trinkaus & Zimmerman, 1982). The paralysis and amputation of Shanidar 1's right arm meant he would have experienced difficulty performing daily tasks and would not have been able to contribute to the main subsistence activity of hunting and preparing food or making weapons for the group (Davies & Underdown, 2006). Shanidar 1 could have compensated for his ineffective right arm by developing his left arm to perform tasks or using his teeth as additional tools so he was able to contribute to his social group.…”

Section: Impact Of Pathologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Caregiving could suggest Neanderthals had a high level of social and emotional complexity that reflected the principles of compassion and empathy for other individuals within their social group. This behaviour may have evolved due to the cooperative nature of hominid social groups, or it could be an extension of kinship-based altruism as Neanderthals mainly lived in small, closely related groups (Davies & Underdown, 2006). Cooperation would have been incredibly important for the survival of the group, and flexibility in behaviour and roles within the group would be necessary to ensure survival.…”

Section: Interpretation and Implications For Understanding Neanderthalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Health-related care for the Neanderthal Shanidar 1

Kent¹

2017

AURJ

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The bioarchaeology of care methodology is used to identify health-related care for prehistoric hominids using the skeletal indications of survival with a disability or debilitating disease that would have resulted in death if care was not given. This model involves four stages and was applied to the Neanderthal Shanidar 1 in order to evaluate the type of care possibly received by the individual and what this caregiving behaviour suggests about Neanderthal culture and behaviour. The skeletal remains of Shanidar 1 represents an adult male of advanced age who suffered from a number of debilitating pathologies that would have affected his ability to survive and contribute to his social group. Shanidar 1 required health-related care in the form of direct support and accommodation of a different role within the social group in order to survive to his age at death. The survival of Shanidar 1 to old age implies Neanderthals were capable of changing their behaviour in order to care for and accommodate injured members of their social group. This evidence of health-related care for Shanidar 1 suggests Neanderthals had a greater level of behavioural flexibility and social complexity than previously believed.

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2014

Thin on the Ground

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The Neanderthals: a Social Synthesis

Cited by 31 publications

References 91 publications

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Health-related care for the Neanderthal Shanidar 1

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