Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens had different burial practices, study suggests

New research published in L’Anthropologie reveals the burial practices of Homo sapiens and Neanderthals during the Middle Paleolithic period in the Levant region of Western Asia. Conducted by Professor Ella Been of Ono Academic College and Dr. Omry Barzilai of the University of Haifa, the study analyzes 17 Neanderthal and 15 Homo sapiens burial sites.

Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens had different burial practices, study suggests A Neanderthal burial, cast. Israel Museum, Jerusalem. Credit: Gary Todd, via Flickr

The Levant, encompᴀssing modern-day Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine, served as a critical crossroads during the Middle Paleolithic. Homo sapiens migrated from Africa to the region as early as 170,000 years ago, while Neanderthals arrived from Europe around 120,000 years ago. Remarkably, the two species began burying their ᴅᴇᴀᴅ roughly 120,000 years ago, making this practice one of their earliest shared cultural innovations.

Dr. Barzilai said: “The simultaneous appearance of burials in both populations suggests a shared cultural origin or parallel innovation.” However, the researchers emphasize that these practices likely arose in response to local demographic pressures, as population densities increased with the arrival of both species in the resource-rich Levant.

The study identified several similarities in burial practices. Both species buried individuals regardless of age or gender, often accompanied by grave goods such as animal remains and stone artifacts. Wild goat horns, deer antlers, and red ochre were common in Homo sapiens burials, while Neanderthals included items like tortoiseshells and modified limestone.

Despite these shared elements, significant differences emerged. Neanderthals primarily buried their ᴅᴇᴀᴅ inside caves, using stones as positional markers or headrests. In contrast, Homo sapiens buried their deceased near cave entrances or rock shelters, often in a fetal-like position. Decorative items such as seashells were exclusive to Homo sapiens burials, reflecting a potential symbolic or aesthetic preference absent in Neanderthal contexts.

Professor Been elaborated on these distinctions, stating, “While Neanderthals and Homo sapiens share many aspects of material culture, their burial practices reveal unique cultural idenтιтies. For example, Neanderthals employed a variety of burial postures, while Homo sapiens displayed remarkable uniformity.”

Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens had different burial practices, study suggests Early Humans’ Burial. The National Museum of Natural History. Credit: Laura Blankenship, via Flickr

Interestingly, the researchers noted a “burial boom” during this period, with dense clusters of burials in the Levant compared to sparse burials in contemporary Europe and Africa. Improved climate conditions, such as increased rainfall and vegetation, may have drawn both populations to the region, intensifying compeтιтion for resources and prompting more frequent burials.

However, the practice of burials in the Levant ceased abruptly around 50,000 years ago after Neanderthals went extinct. Human burials did not reappear until the Natufian culture of the Late Paleolithic, approximately 15,000 years ago.

The simultaneous emergence of burial practices raises intriguing questions about the cultural evolution of both species.

Professor Been acknowledged this complexity, stating, “Burials are deeply tied to culture, and the reasons behind their sudden appearance remain unclear. Future research may uncover whether these practices stemmed from cultural exchanges, compeтιтion, or independent innovations.”

More information: Been, E., & Barzilai, O. (2024). Neandertal burial practices in Western Asia: How different are they from those of the early Homo sapiens? L’ Anthropologie, (103281), 103281. doi:10.1016/j.anthro.2024.103281

Related Posts

Late Bronze Age elites at Seddin reveal foreign origins and long-distance mobility across Europe

Late Bronze Age elites at Seddin reveal foreign origins and long-distance mobility across Europe

New research has demonstrated that the majority of people buried in monumental mounds in northwestern Brandenburg, Germany, around Seddin, were not locals but individuals believed to have…

Archaeological sites with ancient carvings found atop Phu Khat Mountain

Archaeological sites with ancient carvings found atop Phu Khat Mountain

Thailand’s wildlife rangers and archaeologists have recently announced a significant discovery on the summit of Phu Khat Mountain, the highest summit of Phu Khat Wildlife Sanctuary. At…

Trading human remains: Why bones should not become a commodity

Trading human remains: Why bones should not become a commodity

by Michelle Spear, Professor of Anatomy, University of Bristol — In recent years, skulls, bones, and even modified human remains have appeared with increasing frequency on online…

Evidence shows Homo naledi deliberately buried their ᴅᴇᴀᴅ

Evidence shows Homo naledi deliberately buried their ᴅᴇᴀᴅ

Deep inside the Rising Star cave system in South Africa, researchers have discovered what is possibly the oldest known evidence of deliberate burial by a non-human species…

Large 17th-century coin hoard unearthed in eastern Poland

Large 17th-century coin hoard unearthed in eastern Poland

A remarkable discovery was made near the village of Zewierszczów in the Lublin Voivodeship of Poland, when a local metal detectorist came across a hoard of thousands…

The castle in front of the castle: excavations at Schloss Neuenburg reveal high-status medieval remains

The castle in front of the castle: excavations at Schloss Neuenburg reveal high-status medieval remains

Archaeological excavations are underway at Schloss Neuenburg, close to Freyburg (Burgenlandkreis), one of the most significant cultural monuments in Saxony-Anhalt. The investigations, led by the State Office…