Final answer:
Comparisons of trauma in Neanderthal skeletons and modern-day rodeo riders suggest that Neanderthals led a risky lifestyle similar to that of hunters, with evidence of hunting-related injuries in both sexes. Neanderthal musculature indicates a capability for active hunting. Studies of H. naledi and Neolithic human remains also provide insights into early human social structures and diet transitions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The level of trauma in Neanderthal skeletons has been compared to that of modern-day rodeo riders, offering insights into Neanderthal lifestyles and behaviors. Research, such as the study by Beier et al. (2018), has shown that both Neanderthals and Upper Paleolithic modern humans exhibited similar frequencies of cranial trauma, with the implication that hunting was a dangerous activity for Neanderthals, just as rodeo riding entails a high risk of injury today. The prevalence of cranial injuries in both Neanderthal men and women suggests that hunting may not have been an exclusively male activity during that period. Nevertheless, the injuries observed in Neanderthal women were fewer than those seen in men, indicating potential differences in roles or activities.
Further studies, such as the examination of H. naledi skeletal deposits and the anthropological interpretations of social structures in early hominin societies, contribute to our understanding of the cultural and social aspects of Neanderthal life. In addition, analysis of Neanderthal postcranial bones indicates robust musculature, suitable for throwing projectiles and using spears, which aligns with the conception of Neanderthals as active hunters. Comparatively, dental and skeletal studies from the Neolithic Period reveal lifestyle changes, such as increased carbohydrate consumption and skeletal wear patterns in females from grain grinding, which reflect the evolution of human diet and social roles over time.