Question

Mention any two characteristics of Neanderthal man that lived near East and Central Asia.

Hint:

Neanderthal man is famously distinguished from earlier hominids by two milestones: their $1400\text{ cc}$ brain size and their cultural custom of burying their dead.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for two distinct anatomical or cultural features that characterize Homo neanderthalensis (Neanderthal man), who lived in near East and Central Asia between roughly 100,000 and 400,000 years ago.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Neanderthals were advanced prehistoric hominids with significant brain development and specialized social habits that distinguished them from earlier hominids.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Key characteristics documented in evolutionary biology for Neanderthal man include:
1. Large Cranial Capacity: They possessed a large brain size, averaging about $1400\text{ cc}$, which is comparable to that of modern humans.
2. Cultural Practices (Burial): They were among the first hominids known to deliberately bury their dead with rituals, indicating structured social behaviors.
3. Use of Hides: They routinely used animal hides to shelter and protect their bodies from harsh, freezing environments.
Any two of these points provide an accurate description.

Step 4: Final Answer:
Two characteristics of Neanderthal man are a large cranial capacity of about $1400\text{ cc$} and the cultural practice of burying their dead.