Running Head: Homo neanderthalensis 1
Homo neanderthalensis
Brittany Hertig
Liberty University CRST 290
Dr. Brophy/3
Homo neanderthalensis 2
Abstract
Debates have been ongoing since the discovery of Homo neanderthalensis. Much of the
discussion has focused on where in the human origins does this species of hominin fit into.
Questions of whether Homo neanderthalensis predated modern humans, coexisted and/or
interbred with Homo sapiens, and others are many of the theories that both young earth
creationists and conventional evolutionists have argued over. Perhaps turning to the Bible will
provide the answer that so many are looking for. This paper will analyze Homo
neanderthalensis, both from a young earth creationist perspective and from an evolutionary view
of origin, by examining biblical, theological, historical, paleontological, anthropological
arguments.
Homo neanderthalensis 3
Brief Overview
Homo neanderthalensis, first discovered in 1829, is the closest fossil record to the
modern human. Neanderthals lived in Europe and southwestern to central Asia from a date range
of 400,000 to 40,000 years ago based on an evolutionary timetable. DNA has been recovered
from a dozen fossils which were all found in Europe. As far as anatomy, they were fairly similar
to modern humans. They had a larger nose that was adapted for humidifying and warming cold,
dry air to survive the climates of Europe. Their bodies were shorter, but their brains were just as
large and often times larger than modern humans. Average height for males was about 5 ft 5
inches and weighed on average 143lbs while the females averaged a height of 5 ft 1 inch and a
weight of 119lbs. Due to the colder and harsh climate that Neanderthals lived in, they were
seasonal hunters once the plant foods died off in the colder months. Another important discovery
by scientists is the recovery of scrapers and awls (bone needles) which were used to sew together
loose-fitting garments. This discovery highlights that Neanderthals were the first hominin to
wear clothing. Additionally, Neanderthals deliberately buried their dead with offerings,
controlled fire, and lived in shelters. (Smithsonian, p.1, 2010).
Conventional Understanding of Homo neanderthalensis
Conventional understanding of Neanderthals has shifted since the discovery of the
species in the 1800’s. Within the evolutionary view of origins, Neanderthals hold a significant
level of importance as they are considered as our closest extinct human relatives. One of the
growing debates within the evolutionary model is whether Neanderthals were a distinct genus or
a subspecies of Homo sapiens. (Szalay, p.1, 2017). Neanderthals lived from Europe to Asia from
400,000 years ago to 40,000 years ago before disappearing once modern humans transitioned
from Africa and into Europe. Having lived during the Ice Age, the discovery of their remains
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have been focused to caves throughout Eurasia which coined the term, “cave man”. Initial
theories that surrounded Homo neanderthalensis believed they were more brute like and not
intelligent beings which ultimately led to their demise and extinction. However, additional sites
have been found that suggest Neanderthals possessed advanced cognitive skills, with the ability
to think into the future and the processing of symbolism. It is believed that Neanderthals lived in
nuclear families and also buried their dead. It is assessed that the large cranial size makes a
strong possibility they communicated through language. As time went on, Neanderthals use of
tools became more complex from blades to spears to even the use of glue and pitch. (Szalay, p.1,
2017).
Creationist Understanding of Homo neanderthalensis
The evolutionary model suggests that Neanderthal and modern humans lived in separate
times and that Neanderthals were the missing link between ape-like ancestors and modern man.
This theory continues to lose credibility with the discovery of Neanderthal skeletons alongside
modern humans and instead of in separate, lower, older strata. (Thomas, p.1, 2008). It is
important to note that biblical history does not account for a separate, distant time of
evolutionary development but it does allow for variations within human kind in the earth’s 6000
year old history. Multiple evolutionist sources are wanting to reclassify Homo neanderthalensis
as Homo sapiens neanderthalensis, a sub species of Homo sapiens. More evidence is suggesting
that instead of a mass extinction, pockets of Neanderthals died out around 30,000 years ago
however other populations survived and interbred with modern humans. A study referenced in
Answers in Genesis, discusses that a small percentage of those that are living in Europe and Asia
have a percentage of Neanderthal DNA still present. This is further evidence for the creationist
viewpoint as the interbreeding between modern humans and Neanderthals couldn’t have
Homo neanderthalensis 5
happened if the two species weren’t living at the same time, making Neanderthals not a missing
link but rather genetically family. (Answers in Genesis, p.1, 2010). As mentioned earlier, further
evidence of funeral practices have been discovered and point towards an empathetic and
cognitive being. “Some Neanderthal populations began experimenting with more formal and
elaborate burials, as evidenced by Regourdou Cave, France.” (Steuve, p.25, 2017). The burial
site that was found within the cave were lined with stones and the pit was covered over with a
stone slab. The funerary practices and rational abilities highlight the intellect levels of the
Neanderthals which according to Steuve, “is a key aspect of the substantialistic interpretation of
imago Dei.” (Steuve, p.27, 2017).
There are a number of questions that are raised by the evolutionist theory. There is
evidence that Neanderthals and anatomically modern humans lived within the same region and
some evidence they have shared the same shelters. Is it possible they have lived in the same
region and not reproduced? Within the evolutionist community, a divide is occurring where
some scientists claim that it would be impossible to discount the probability of reproductive
interaction between Neanderthals and modern humans. Another question is why didn’t
Neanderthals and modern humans, who lived amongst one another in Europe and western Asia
for tens of thousands of years, did not populate other areas of the world such as Africa or Asia?
Perhaps the Bible provides framework and evidence to answer some of these questions. Genesis
11:9, “Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all
the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth.” Post flood,
people were scattered after Babel all around the world. Those that remained in the Middle East
regions were able to advance at a much faster rate. Groups that were scattered into Europe and
northern Asia faced much harsher conditions due to the Ice Age. This reasoning would eliminate
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the need for such longer periods of time for evolution to occur. “A short-chronology, spanning a
few hundred years after the Genesis flood may better explain the genetic similarity between
Neanderthals and present-time humans.” (Esperante, p.3, 2012). The consensus amongst the
creationist authors that were researched is that the Bible explains more about the origins of
humankind than anthropology and paleontology can offer.
Conclusion
This research paper provided an excellent opportunity to compare and contrast the
differing viewpoints between creationists and evolutionists. As scientists continue to confine the
magnificence of His creation into an evolutionary framework, more and more fallacies are
highlighted in their arguments. As Homo neanderthalensis was originally believed to be the
missing link, now evidence refutes that, as remains of both Neanderthals and modern humans
have been found in the same areas. The spreading of early humans after Babel and after the
flood, would explain many of the questions that are raised with the evolutionist’s perspective. I
concur that the most logical explanation for the stagnation of development of Neanderthals and
the eventual extinction is that after Babel, those that dispersed to harsher regions faced much
more difficulty advancing and while some populations may have gone extinct, the close
proximity to one another caused the interbreeding between Homo neanderthalensis and modern
humans.
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References
Answers in Genesis. "Neanderthals: Fully Human." July 24, 2010. Accessed February 19, 2018.
https://answersingenesis.org/human-evolution/neanderthal/neanderthals-fully-human/.
Esperante, Raul. "How do Neanderthals fit with a biblical model?" Geoscience News. February
12, 2014. Accessed February 19, 2018. https://grisda.wordpress.com/2013/01/14/how-do-
neatherthals-fit-with-a-biblical-model/
Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. "Homo Neanderthalensis." Homo
neanderthalensis | The Smithsonian Institution's Human Origins Program. March 01, 2010.
Accessed February 19, 2018. http://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-
fossils/species/homo-neanderthalensis.
Stueve, Megan. "Formed in the Image of God: The Theological Status of Neanderthals." OKH
Journal: Anthropological Ethnography and Analysis Through the Eyes of Christian Faith 1,
no. 1 (2017). doi:10.18251/okh.v1i1.4.
Szalay, Jessie. “Neanderthals: Facts About Our Extinct Human Relatives.” Live Science Journal.
December 20, 2017. Accessed February 19, 2018, https://www.livescience.com/28036-
neanderthals-facts-about-our-extinct-human-relatives.html
Thomas, Brian. "Neanderthal Men Were Modern Men." The Institute for Creation Research.
December 8, 2008. Accessed February 19, 2018. http://www.icr.org/article/neanderthal-
were-modern-men/
