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What does the burial practices of Neanderthals tell us about them?

a) They practiced cremation
b) They were nomadic hunters and gatherers
c) They had a belief in an afterlife
d) They didn't have any religious or burial rituals

User OXXO
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Final answer:

Neanderthal burial practices, evidenced by intentional burials and associated grave goods, suggest they had a belief in an afterlife and engaged in ritualistic practices, pointing to an early form of spirituality. option c is corret

Step-by-step explanation:

The burial practices of Neanderthals provide us with insights into their culture and beliefs. While option a) states they practiced cremation, and option d) suggests they did not have any religious or burial rituals, the archaeological evidence points towards option c), they had a belief in an afterlife.

Neanderthal burials were sometimes accompanied by household items, and evidence from the Shanidar 4 site suggests intentional burials and possibly belief in an afterlife, as inferred from the positioning of the body and the presence of flower pollen. This is indicative of ritualistic practices and some form of spirituality, though it is difficult to know the exact significance.

Furthermore, intentional burials at several sites further support the theory of Neanderthal mortuary practices, with careful placement of bodies and signs of deliberate interment. These practices, though not necessarily sophisticated by modern standards, provide a window into the spiritual life of Neanderthals, revealing that they likely possessed spiritual beliefs and a sense of connection beyond the physical world. option c is correct

User Chris Mohr
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