P200 Assignment 3

There are two options for this assignment.

Option 1: View a video of one of the following films (or read a comparable novel) that portrays the anatomy and behavior of neanderthals in contrast to anatomically modern humans.
- Films:
  - Clan of the Cave Bear (movie with Daryl Hannah, loosely based on book, below)
  - Quest for Fire
  - The Ice Man (starring Timothy Hutton)
- Books (both are still in paperback):
  - Clan of the Cave Bear (author Jean Auel)
  - Neanderthal. A Novel (John Darnton)
As you view the film (or read the novel), record as many examples as you can find of ways in which neanderthals are portrayed as similar to or different from ourselves. Look specifically for examples not only of anatomy (e.g. brow ridges?) and general behavior traits (language?), but also keep an eye out for material culture (e.g. tools, artifacts used as symbols, etc). Write an essay of 3-4 pages that carefully critiques the realism of the movie or essay, based on what we know from the archaeological and fossil record. Use specific examples from the readings and lectures to help you. You can also consult the following websites for more information:
- The Old Stone Age
- Morph a neanderthal face!
- Award-winning Neanderthal Museum, near Dusseldorf, Germany
- Neanderthal news brief
- Ancient Neanderthal DNA (article 1, article 2, photos of DNA researcher Mark Stoneking)
- Comparative DNA analysis of modern populations
- Fossil Hominids at the Talk_Origins archive
- Hominid Photo Gallery (examine pictures of fossils)

Option 2: Go to the following website and follow the instructions to help Lisa Simpson interpret notes from a Middle and Upper Paleolithic archaeological dig. Cueva de la Copa

P200 Introduction to Prehistoric Archaeology

P200 Home Page | Syllabus | Reading schedule| Lecture Notes | Assignments
Quiz | Check your Grades using Post'em (not yet available)

P200 Introduction to Prehistoric Archaeology

P200 Essay 3: Neanderthals & Moderns

Due Monday March 27

P200 Introduction to Prehistoric Archaeology P200 Home Page | Syllabus | Reading schedule| Lecture Notes | Assignments Quiz | Check your Grades using Post'em (not yet available)

P200 Introduction to Prehistoric Archaeology

P200 Essay 3: Neanderthals & Moderns

Due Monday March 27

P200 Introduction to Prehistoric Archaeology

P200 Home Page | Syllabus | Reading schedule| Lecture Notes | Assignments
Quiz | Check your Grades using Post'em (not yet available)