20. Mental development

Return to History 8 Human Origins Concepts

The best breakthrough in the Neanderthal's mental health was the "fridge." This was basically a hole dug into the cold ground. They then put meats in the hole and put a large rock on top of it securing the meat from the outside air and preserving it as well. Another, smaller, breakthrough was the prepared core technique. The Neanderthal's would knock the top of a round rock creating a flat, disk-shaped core. They then striked the rocks creating a sharp edge around it. This was easy for them to cut meats and hide from animals. The Neanderthal's had another break through in mental development. They imagined a life after death. This is shown by the possessions buried with the dead. Flowers were also found around the body. This means that they wanted the departed to be healthy when he reached this place.

Johannson, David. In Search of Human Origins. Boston. WGBH. 1994