Human evolution: Neanderthal cooking like humans (Introduction)

by David Turell , Saturday, November 26, 2022, 16:13 (726 days ago) @ dhw

DAVID: Neanderthals are becoming more and more human-like.

dhw: In view of the ever increasing number of common cultural activities, and bearing in mind the fact that Neanderthals and modern sapiens actually interbred, I feel very uncomfortable at the mere suggestion that they were not human. It seems to suggest that they were some kind of ape. I’m uncomfortable because we live in a world that is rife with racial prejudice, and although of course your comment is not meant in any way to be offensive, it is reminiscent of historical and still current attitudes which I’m sure you detest as much as I do. You may feel that I’m being oversensitive, but all the same, as a favour to me, I’d be grateful if you would allow me at least to change the heading to “modern humans”. I can also edit your comment to “more and more like modern humans” if you would like me to.

DAVID: We can differentiate the two types. In my view 'human' means the type named 'sapiens'. Neanderthals have their own separate identity and their own form of 'humanness'. They left 'apehood' long ago. Yes, you are oversensitive. Our followers are educated enough understand our proper level of discussion.

dhw: They ARE named sapiens. The full name given to the species is Homo sapiens neanderthalensis. My point is the same as yours: that they left apehood long ago, and that is why we should not describe them as being “humanlike”. They WERE human. However, we’ll leave it there. If there are any “followers”, they will draw their own conclusions.

Thank you for giving the full title for Neanderthals. I am educated.