Final answer:
The strongest evidence pointing to Neanderthals having symbolic lives includes the cave paintings in Spain and burial practices involving grave goods. Moreover, artifacts like the Venus figurines suggest symbolic or spiritual beliefs. These findings indicate sophisticated cognitive abilities and engagement in symbolic practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The strongest evidence that Neanderthals had rich symbolic lives comes from various archaeological findings. One notable discovery is the cave paintings in Spain, dated to around 65,000 years ago, which have been attributed to Neanderthals. These paintings predate the arrival of Homo sapiens in the region and indicate that Neanderthals had the capacity for symbolic expression.
Additionally, the practice of burying the dead with personal items is another significant indicator of symbolic behavior. Such burials, often with goods like beads and red ochre, suggest a belief in an afterlife, or a reverence for the deceased that goes beyond mere disposal of the dead. The Venus figurines, often interpreted as symbols of fertility or motherhood, provide further evidence of symbolic and possibly spiritual beliefs during the Paleolithic period.
The combined archaeological record, including material culture and evidence of ritual practices in both Neanderthals and early modern humans, points to a complex cognitive and symbolic life that suggests the presence of religion or spirituality, artistic expression, and perhaps even forms of social organization around these beliefs.