Neanderthal Social Organization



Neanderthal Social Organization

Introduction

The adaptation of social organization is prevalent among the most of the animal communities. It depends on the size and structure of the community or local group. The social structure also depends upon the specific roles and the integration among the individuals of the group or a community. There should be an existence of the systematic and regular alliances among the members of the groups. The integration and involvement of these members lead to a larger and populated regional areas where the survival of each of the member in the group and the communities may vary depending upon the demographic and ecological conditions and environment. These factors contribute to the movement or migration of the communities and people towards the areas where there is an ample supply of food and the capacity of living that could easily protect themselves from the other animals especially the predators. Therefore, the understanding of social structures becomes important not only for the management of animal species but for the proper management of human beings and their communities. This paper deals with the identification and assessment of the social structure of Neanderthal communities. It also intends to identify the factors prevalent in the Neanderthal social structure and the way these factors have impacted the civilization of the human beings (Spielvogel, 2011).

The Neanderthal Era

The understanding of Neanderthal era and the species found in the Neanderthal era is important to proceed with the discussion of their social structure. The Neanderthal organization follows the Homo erectus specie of human beings that was a transition period in the evolvement of human beings. The Neanderthals played a transitional role between the hominids and the modern Homo sapiens. They were earlier found in a valley of the Germany named as Neander. The remains of the Neanderthals can be found in the western parts of Asia and the Europe. The time period during which they exists include 200, 000 till 300, 000 BCE. They are considered to be the first people who started to bury the dead people of their society. The Neanderthals also use to rely on different tool made up of stone. The extinction of Neanderthals took place by the 30, 000 BCE. The Homo sapiens who are considered as the most advanced form of human being and their evolution were the people who replaced Neanderthals (Mellars, 1996).

Social Organization in the Neanderthal Era

The social structure and organization of Neanderthal societies and communities differed widely from the perspectives of biological and behavior aspects. There are several differences in between the characteristics of social organization of Neanderthal people and the modern societies and communities. Since the Neanderthals followed the patterns of Homo erectus, they performed several things like them. The central role and ability of Homo erectus was their skills to make tools that could be used for different purposes. The Neanderthals also progressed in the tool making through stones for their living and carrying out different activities. It was the distinguishing feature that differentiates Homo ...