RE: How do we know that Neanderthal skeletons are Neanderthal skeletons?
September 29, 2022 at 11:20 pm
(This post was last modified: September 29, 2022 at 11:23 pm by Thumpalumpacus.)
(September 29, 2022 at 9:22 pm)x278 Wrote: How do we know that Neanderthal skeletons are Neanderthal skeletons and not just human skeletons experiencing decomposition? Just asking.
Neanderthals were generally more robust. They had thicker bones. The skull had a different shape, with less room for the prefrontal cortex, with an accentuated occipital bun housing wetware for improved smell and vision, it is suspected. The bones throughout the body are of heavier build. Aside from being thicker, these bones also show more wear at points where tendons and ligaments either cross or attach to bones and joints, due to heavier musculature. The facial bone-structure on Neanderthals is more extended; it projects from the skull a little more.
Homo Sapiens and Erectus both are more gracile in build, with bones being proportionally smaller throughout the body-build, the face being flatter and less projecting, the cranial vault having more cortical volume.
Decomposing human skeletons don't get thicker, and that's a big indicator.
