Final answer:
Neanderthals burying their dead with items indicates possible afterlife beliefs or deep respect for the deceased. Intentional burials and variations in grave goods over time reflect social hierarchies and diverse mortuary practices across ancient cultures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Neanderthals buried their dead with items like tools, bowls, and jewelry, signifying a potential belief in an afterlife or the respect and value they held for the deceased. From ornate burial sites in Europe to simpler ones, these burial practices extend historical insights into ancient beliefs and social structures. Intentional burials of Neanderthals suggest a ritualistic approach, where graves were dug and bodies carefully placed, as seen in sites like Shanidar 4 with the presence of red ochre and flower pollen. Meanwhile, Homo naledi, despite not being associated with tool use, appears to have used cave systems for burying their dead, indicating mortuary practices without the presence of grave goods. There is also evidence of social stratification, as observed in the variation in grave goods and burial practices over time, such as in Neolithic Chinese societies and other global cultures. The presence of items meant for the afterlife in graves, such as the exquisite goods found in Moche Royal Tombs or Meroitic graves, illustrates the diversity and complexity of early human cultures' relationship with death and the afterlife.