Neanderthal Man—La Chapelle-aux-Saints (Classical Type)

Also known as the ‘Old Man’, the relatively complete skeleton of the Neanderthal man was discovered in La Chapelle-aux-Saints, France, in 1908. L. Bardon and A. Bouyssonie and J. Bouyssonie were responsible for the discovery. The man was believed to be 40 years of age and had poor health. He lost most of his teeth and suffered from bone resorption and advanced arthritis. It is one of the best examples of the Neanderthal deliberate burials, although generally acceptable. The remains were studied first by Marcellin Blue, and for over thirty years, the reconstruction of Neanderthal anatomy was considered the most popular theory. The skeleton is considered the classic Neanderthal anatomy and is almost 60,000 years old. 

For several decades, burial in western Europe was a topic of debate for scholars. Finally, the questions and confusion led to a joint effort of the global scholars to examine the previously examined and discovered Neanderthal man in La Chapelle-aux-saints. The discovery of Neanderthal burial for the first time in the same area.

The first reconstruction and original reading

Boule’s reconstruction was published in 1911–1913, and the skeleton contained ribs, vertebrae, and most of his arms and legs. In addition to that, the Neanderthal man also had a protruding midface, receding forehead and distinct brow ridges that one would expect of a homo Neanderthalensis. The predictions were relatively accurate, considering that the Neanderthals were not direct ancestors of modern humans. 

Researchers and scientists consider the man to be quite old given how bone had grown on his gums where he had lost several of his teeth. Not only were all of the mandibular molars absent, along with that, he lost so many teeth decades before he died that he needed his food crushed to bits before consumption. 

The physical attributes of the skeleton are somewhat similar to that of present-day apes, including gorillas which further indicated a lack of cognitive intelligence in primitive early humans. Between 1909 and 1919, Bouṣle discovered that the reconstructed Neanderthal man, the ‘Old Man’. had arthritis, along with an elongated skull occipital bun. In addition, studies showed that the Neanderthals had blue or green eyes and rosy cheeks. At the same time, their fingers and thumb were wide. Scientists believe that the Neanderthals had developed strong deltoid and trapezius muscles due to the vast quantity of meat they brought in for their families.

Further discoveries in the 1950s

After Boule’s initial discovery and reading came to light in the 1950s, the discovery of several new features matched the variation of modern human beings. Scientists including Crave and Straus are known to contribute to the discovery and re-study of the Old Man in 1957. Crave and Straus were the scientists who re-examined the remains depicted as more similar to modern human beings. The slouched posture of the skeleton was due to gross deforming osteoarthritis. Even though Boule noted the Old Man’s slouching posture during the original reading, scientists discovered the reason for the deformed posture only after the late 1950s.

The recent discovery and added interpretations in the study of the Old Man

Crave and Straus believe the errors made by Boule were due to severe fragmentations of the remains. Scientist Erik Trinkaus recently discovered that the Neanderthal man suffered from degenerative joint disease. Furthermore, scientists believe that the deformative did not hamper Boule’s original reading and reconstruction in 1911. Instead, scientists now believe that Boule’s hypothesis and belief of the Old Man of la Chappelle aux saints to be not ancestors of the modern human beings led to constructing a ferocious, stooped and deformed figure. In addition to that, Boule’s firm rejection of the connection between Neanderthal man and modern human beings led to him reconstructing big toes similar to that of the apes.

Conclusion

Studies have later shown that the Neanderthal man did have several incisors and canines along with many premolars. The further discoveries themselves suggested that the Old Man was able to consume average food and could chew comfortably. The perfectly preserved skull, limb bones and even incomplete trunk vouch for the characteristics of the average Neanderthal man. The characteristics include cold-weather adaptive body proportions and sizes, stocky, projecting teeth and nose, and a protruding midface. In addition to that, the broad and rounded brow ridge and the long and rounded braincase of the Neanderthals show their adaptation to the cold environment of Siberia. Brawny arms and limbs, along with consistent markings on them, show their constant altercations with fellow Neanderthals.