Locomotion analysis of Homo neanderthalensis

Vol.9,No.1(2018)

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the locomotion of Homo neanderthalensis and to compare the observed evidence with the locomotion of modern human (Homo sapiens). After a brief introduction to Neanderthal problematics follows the description of individual types of locomotion. Beside the environment, the possibilities of Neanderthal locomotion depend on the morphology of axial skeleton, namely the lumbar lordosis and the lordotic angle. The morphology of the upper and lower limb display its importance too. Upper limbs are considered with respect to manual dexterity, scraping and throwing. The morphology of the lower limbs influences walking and running, together with activities associated to movements of the knee and ankle joint.


Keywords:
Neanderthals; locomotion; scraping; throwing; manual dexterity; walking; running
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