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Abstract
This research project aims to bridge the gap between anatomically modern humans and our closest genetic relative, Neanderthals. By analyzing research literature on artistically symbolic artifacts potentially created by these ancient humans (focusing on populations in Europe) I hope to offer a superior speculation of Neanderthal intellect. Neanderthals potential capability to create artistic objects could transform our understanding of them and their cognitive abilities, and raise philosophical questions on what it means to be human.
Publication Date
2026
Subject Major(s)
Environmental studies, Philosophy with a concentration in Science
Keywords
Neanderthal, art
Current Academic Year
Junior
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Bernard Means
Rights
© The Author(s)
Disciplines
Anthropology | History of Art, Architecture, and Archaeology
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Information Citations: Appenzeller, T. Neanderthal culture: Old masters. Nature 497, 302–304 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/497302a Bello, S.M. Boning up on Neanderthal art. Nat Ecol Evol 5, 1201–1202 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-021-01506-z García Capín, Miriam. Neanderthal Cave Art? A Proposal from Cognitive Archaeology, 2024, https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4968543. García-Diez, Marcos. “‘art’: Neanderthal symbolic graphic behaviour.” Updating Neanderthals, 2022, pp. 251–260, https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-821428-2.00009-3. Hoffmann, D.L., Standish, C.D., Pike, A.W.G. et al. Dates for Neanderthal art and symbolic behaviour are reliable. Nat Ecol Evol 2, 1044–1045 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-018-0598-z “Homo Neanderthalensis | The Smithsonian Institution’s Human Origins Program.” Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, 3 Jan. 2024, humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-fossils/species/homo-neanderthalensis. Sanders, Robert. “A New Timeline for Neanderthal Interbreeding with Modern Humans.” Berkeley News, UC Regents, 12 Dec. 2024, news.berkeley.edu/2024/12/12/a-new-timeline-for-neanderthal-interbreeding-with-modern-humans/. Trinkaus, Erik, Tuttle, Russell Howard, Williams, Frank L'Engle. "Neanderthal". Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Nov. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Neanderthal. Figure Citations: Fig. 1: Pavid, Katie. “A New Look at the Gibraltar Neanderthals | Natural History Museum.” Natural History Museum, 15 July 2019, www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2019/july/a-new-look-at-the-gibraltar-neanderthals.html. Fig. 2: Judson, Olivia. “Kissing Cousins.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 11 May 2010, archive.nytimes.com/opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/11/kissing-cousins/. Fig. 3: Staff, News. “Neanderthals May Have Invented Tools Still in Use Today, Say Archaeologists.” Sci.News: Breaking Science News, 13 Aug. 2013, www.sci.news/archaeology/science-neanderthals-invented-tools-today-01306.html. Fig. 4: Gallman, Stephanie. “Not Your Average Caveman: Study Says Neanderthals Made Jewelry.” CNN, Cable News Network, 12 Mar. 2015, www.cnn.com/2015/03/12/us/fea-neanderthal-jewelry-makers/index.html. Fig. 5: The Neanderthal Flute from Divje Babe.” Slovenia.Si, slovenia.si/art-and-cultural-heritage/the-neanderthal-flute-from-divje-babe. Fig. 6: Henrion, Juliette, et al. “New Neanderthal Remains from the Châtelperronian-Attributed Layer X of the Grotte Du Renne (Arcy-Sur-Cure, France).” ScienceDirect, 26 June 2023, www.researchgate.net/publication/351163114_httpswwwsciencedirectcomsciencearticleabspiiS1051200421000968.