Landmark developments in the understanding of Neanderthal Disappearance

An appraisal of the emergence and potential of new interpretations

Abstract

This essay deals with the evidence and theories surrounding the disappearance of Neanderthals from the archaeological record. The essay charts the development of our understanding of this event while assessing the media’s portrayal of archaeological findings. It first addresses the early and stereotypical explanations of Neanderthal extinction by modern human colonisation, a view which was well-suited to contemporary thinking, but lacked evidence. It then discusses the Multi-Regional Evolution theory which suggests that Neanderthals evolved into modern humans and how this theory was disproved using absolute dating techniques. A substantial review of genetic evidence follows, showing that we cannot draw dramatic conclusions from ancient DNA despite numerous attempts by the media to do so. A model which allows Neanderthal extinction to have been a non-catastrophic result of modern humans’ superiority is discussed, followed by a number of studies which propose slight adaptability advantages in AMH. Lastly the work of paleoclimatologists is considered, which is shown to be scientifically sound and allows us to think of Neanderthals as just another ancient species. This allows the essay to conclude that there is no one decisive reason why AMH replaced Neanderthals and that there are a number of technologies which have the potential to give us a broader understanding.