by
CRST 290-B04
Creation
Studies
Madeline Fink
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
Homo neanderthalensis Research Paper
Submitted to Dr. Jackson,
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
Abstract
Homo neanderthalensis is the modern human’s neighboring extinct relative. Both
creationist and evolutionists acknowledge the importance of these fossils. Evolutionists believe
that Homo neanderthalensis are a completely separate species from Homo sapiens. They view
them as the last stepping stone of evolution to the modern human. Whereas, creationists have
determined that Neanderthals were not created though evolution, but rather are the entirely
human species that lived through the Post Flood era. They believe that they were simply split off
from the other groups after the dispersion at the Tower of Babel. Recent studies of the fossils
revealed remarkable similarities within anatomy, DNA, and ways of life between the Homo
neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens fossils.
Overview of Homo neanderthalensis
Homo neanderthalensis is the scientific name for the fossils of the closet extent relative to
the modern human. They are more commonly known as Neanderthals. They lived in Europe and
southwestern to central Asia about four hundred thousand to forty thousand years ago. Although
they had yet to be identified, the fossils were first discovered in Engis, Belgium in the year of
eighteen twenty-nine. It wasn’t until German scientists revealed and named a Homo
neanderthalensis fossil in the year of eighteen fifty-six that they realized the discovery in
Belgium as well as another one were all of the same species. The unearthed fossil from Belgium
was the first early human fossil to be exposed.
Since Neanderthals are the adjoining extinct relative to Homo sapiens, specialists have
been able to determine many facts regarding their anatomy and the way they lived. According to
the human origins portion of the Smithsonian museum, they were adapted for living in a cold
environment. Some of these characteristics included angled cheek bones, a larger nose (which
was used for humidifying and warming cold dry air), as well as shorter and stockier bodies. They
even share a ninety nine point seven percent of DNA with Homo sapiens. Although they had a
distinctly different appearance, their brains differed only vaguely. Culturally, they have a lot in
common with earlier humans. They built tools and used fire, lived in shelters, ate plants and
animals, and even made and wore clothing. They had traditions such as burying their dead.
Although they lived very differently from the way we do now, they weren’t all that different
from the earlier Homo sapiens.
Conventional Understanding of Homo neanderthalensis
The Homo neanderthalensis fossil holds a great importance within an evolutionary
origin’s viewpoint. Evolutionists understand Neanderthals are the closest ancestor to Homo
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sapiens and believe they play a significant role in our evolutionary development. Homo
neanderthalensis’ lived in Europe and Asia from four hundred thousand years ago up until about
forty thousand years ago. Some of them coexisted with Homo sapiens in similar geographic
areas throughout Asia. Although the cause of their annihilation is unknown, the migration of
Homo sapiens may have impacted their extinction. There are conflicting theories as to whether
Homo neanderthalensis lacked the intelligence to maintain their existence or if they possessed
progressive cognitive abilities. Anatomically their brain size is comparable to Homo sapiens,
possibly even larger. The Neanderthals’ society, weapons, and tools advanced over time, proving
that they were blessed with more intellect than other animals.
There is little evidence regarding the relationships between the Homo neanderthalensis
and Homo sapiens, however, there are genomic indications that interbreeding did occur between
the two species. According to genetics testing documented by the Smithsonian museum,
Neanderthal DNA has appeared in “approximately 1-4% of the genomes of non-African modern
humans, although a modern human who lived about 40,000 years ago has been found to have
between 6-9% Neanderthal DNA”. Despite the DNA evidence and the similarities within the
fossil’s anatomies, evolutionists still believe that Homo neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens are
two separate species. Evolutionists believe that the Neanderthals are not necessarily human nor
ape but are the connection between the two species and therefore should be identified as a
completely separate species all together.
Creationist Understanding of Homo neanderthalensis
Creationists widely believe that Homo neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens should both
be classified as humans. Although the Homo neanderthalensis fossils consists of notable
differences when compared to the Homo sapiens fossils, they maintain enough similarities to be
identified as the same species. Many young-Earth creationists believe that the Neanderthals are a
sub species to Homo sapiens and that all of the fossils presented as part of the evolutionary
process can be identified as either apes or humans. Some creationists repudiate the fossil
findings; however, they more commonly acknowledge them as part of our history. The fossil
discovery timeline is synchronized with the accounts of the tower of Babel. Creationists believe
that Homo neanderthalensis were post flood humans that separated from the other groups when
they spread from the Tower of Babel. According to Anne Habermehl, this is “the most widely
accepted creationist view”. “Neanderthals…were very early nomadic humans, probably one of
the tribes that departed from Babel in the dispersion” (Those Enigmatic Neanderthals).
Creationists have varying opinions and beliefs in regards to the fossils of Homo
neanderthalensis. Most creationists believe that each of the fossils within Darwin’s evolutionary
theory can be separated and labeled either ape or human. In contrast to evolutionists, they believe
that Homo neanderthalensis is fully human. Evolutionists acknowledge that Homo
neanderthalensis have human characteristics but also believe they possess animalistic qualities
similar to that of an ape and therefore cannot be classified as human.
Supplementary to the anatomical similarities between Homo neanderthalensis and Homo
sapiens, the way they lived is much more humanistic than animalistic. There is evidence that
Neanderthals may have worn jewelry made from things such as shells and talons. They lived in
shelters, used fires, and may have even used pigments for body art. They had tools and spears
made out of rocks and bones. Neanderthals hunted for food and used the animal parts, just as a
human would. According to the Smithsonian Institute, they were the first early humans to wear
clothing.
There have been several fossil discoveries that have included both Homo
neanderthalensis fossils and Homo sapiens fossils within the same burial site. This, in addition to
the genealogical evidence discussed within the conventional understanding is the basis of the
many creationists beliefs. One creationist theory, states that the fossils display a difference of
appearance due to the environment in which they lived and developed. Some creationists claim
that the Neanderthals are not separate from modern humans at all, but rather their appearances
are a result of genetic differences, or possibly a deformity. Another theory is that they lived much
longer than Homo sapiens and their characteristics are due to a prolonged development.
Although there are some fluctuating beliefs throughout the young-Earth creationist view, they are
all united in respects that all humans descended from Adam and Eve, even the Homo
neanderthalensis.
Conclusion
Old-Earth evolutionary beliefs and young-Earth creationists beliefs are very different
concerning the Homo neanderthalensis fossils. Both viewpoints, formed their theories based
from the scientific evidence, but came to completely different conclusions. Evolutionists based
their beliefs off of Darwin’s evolutionary theory and Creationists based their beliefs off of the
Bible. When viewing the evidence without my biblical worldview, I came to the conclusion that
Neanderthals are not a separate species from Homo sapiens. There is simply not enough evidence
to support the human evolution from apes. Through my biblical worldview, I believe that they
are post flood descendants of Adam and Eve that were separated from the rest of humanity when
dispersed from the Tower of Babel. Logically the creationist view provides more evidence to
support their claims.
Bibliography
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