Updating Neanderthals: Understanding Behavioral Complexity in the Late Middle Paleolithic

Updating Neanderthals: Understanding Behavioral Complexity in the Late Middle Paleolithic is a comprehensive book that synthesizes historical information and presents current debates about Neanderthals, their genetics, subsistence, technology, social and cognitive behaviors, and the implications of interactions between different human species. It explores the diversity and variability of human adaptations and behaviors in the changing climate and environment of the Late Pleistocene.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 382 pages
Publication date: 01 May 2022
Publisher: Elsevier Science Publishing Co Inc

Updating Neanderthals: Understanding Behavioral Complexity in the Late Middle Paleolithic is a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the enigmatic Neanderthals who roamed across the European and Asian continents during the Late Middle Paleolithic period. This book offers a rich tapestry of historical information about the study of Middle Paleolithic populations, while also delving into the current debates surrounding their genetics, subsistence, technology, social and cognitive behaviors.

The focal point of this book lies in the final phase of Neanderthal settlements, providing a comprehensive analysis of the prevailing patterns of modern humans across Europe. Written by a team of international experts who have conducted groundbreaking research in the field of Middle Paleolithic studies over the past three decades, this book offers a unique perspective on the complexities of human interactions, encompassing not only Neanderthals but also their close relatives, Denisovans, and the modern human species, Sapiens.

Through its meticulous examination, Updating Neanderthals sheds light on the profound implications of interactions between different human species. It explores the intricate dance of coexistence, interbreeding, and cultural exchange that occurred between Neanderthals, Denisovans, and Sapiens, shedding new light on the origins and evolution of our species. The book also delves into the diverse and variable nature of human adaptations and behaviors in the changing climate and environment of the Late Pleistocene. It examines how these adaptations shaped the lives of Neanderthals and their contemporaries, as well as the relationship between these behaviors, demography, and cognitive capabilities.

By examining the behavioral complexities of Neanderthals and their interactions with other human species, Updating Neanderthals provides valuable insights into the evolution of human behavior and cognition. It challenges traditional narratives and sheds new light on the rich tapestry of our past, illuminating the intricate web of relationships that shaped the course of human history. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the study of human evolution, archaeology, and the fascinating complexities of our shared past.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780128214282