It's always fascinating to know about the origins of man - what we did before, how we communicated with others, and how we have changed over time. Perhaps this is the reason why we like to explore caves and uncover remains of primitive Neanderthals.
Neanderthals are the extinct species of humans like us who lived between 400,000 to 40,000 years ago; where our scientific name is Homo sapiens, theirs is called Homo neanderthalensis. While we often think of them as the version of us who were way less advanced, excavations have already determined that they were smart, as evidenced by the tools found near the Neanderthal skeletons. Now, the recent discovery shows that they perhaps even feel compassion by burying their dead with flowers.
Shanidar's Cave in Iraqi Kurdistan is a famous site because several Neanderthal skeletons have been recovered there since the 1950s. One of the most famous remains, named Shanidar 4, was even found with pollens. Although this seemed like a very interesting discovery pointing to the suspicion that Neanderthals could feel compassion to the extent of placing flowers with the dead, scientists still argue that the pollens could have gotten there by accident.
They say that the rodents or human activity could have dragged the pollens there. And besides, with the Neanderthals living inside the cave, it was only logical for them to bury the dead to get rid of the stench and they didn't have to do it with symbols of grief, such as flowers.
Everything changed when another skeleton was discovered, named Shanidar. Shanidar 6 was found with pollens around it, but there were no rodent holes to indicate that rodents could have dragged the pollen there. At this point, the question of whether Neanderthals are compassionate enough to put flowers in the remains of their dead seems stronger, especially when added to the fact that skeletons that show severe disabilities could mean that Homo neanderthalensis were capable of taking care of their sick companions.
And then there's Shanidar Z, whose remains were found with its hand beneath its head and a "rock pillow" under its head. Anthropologists and scientists alike do not know how the rock pillow got there - did the Neanderthal sleep on it and then died in his (or her) sleep? Or did the other cavemen place it under its head after its death? If it's the latter, why did they do that? Out of compassion? Or simply to mark where the dead were buried?
Amidst all these exciting finds, one thing is for certain: excavations will continue to happen and the studies about the Neanderthal skeletons will deepen. Perhaps soon, other technology that could scrutinize the soil around the remains will truly determine who the dead were buried before.
Anthropologists are also looking into DNA analysis and that will surely bring new light to the origins of the species that are extinct for a long time now. If a lot of things can be uncovered in Shanidar's Cave, perhaps excavations in other sites will reveal more.
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