Question

Some paleoanthropologists claim that Neandertals were inefficient hunters. What evidence does NOT support this hypothesis? Indicate your answer by dragging the statements to the appropriate box.

A. table isotope analysis indicates that Neandertals consumed meat at about the same level as contemporary carnivores. - Measures of stable isotopes of both carbon and nitrogen can be used to determine the relative amounts of different kinds of foods consumed. This graph shows the isotope values for a variety of herbivores and carnivores. Herbivores generally have lower isotope values than carnivores. Neandertals’ isotope levels are close to those of known carnivores, indicating that Neandertals ate plenty of meat.
B. Both Neandertals and modern Homo sapiens exhibit the same frequency of food stress, as indicated by bone growth. - A study by Debbie Guatelli-Steinberg and her associates found that hypoplasias, the stress markers in teeth that reflect growth disruption due to poor diets or poor health, are present in Neandertals but at a frequency no different from that of modern humans.
C. Neandertal body shape was adapted to efficient hunting. - The difference between the body shape of Neandertals and that of most modern humans is accounted for by adaptation to cold environments.
D. Cut marks on Neandertal bones show that they hunted down and killed members of their own species to eat. - Although cut marks have been found on Neandertal bones that suggest cannibalism, this is not direct evidence for hunting. These Neandertals could have died of other causes and their flesh then eaten for survival.

Answer 1

Evidence that contradicts the claim that Neanderthals were inefficient hunters includes isotope analysis, frequency of food stress, and body shape adaptation.

Step-by-step explanation:

There is evidence that contradicts the claim that Neanderthals were inefficient hunters. One piece of evidence is the isotope analysis, which shows that Neanderthals consumed meat at similar levels to contemporary carnivores, indicating that they ate plenty of meat. Another piece of evidence is the frequency of food stress, as indicated by bone growth. Neanderthals and modern Homo sapiens exhibit the same frequency of this stress, suggesting that Neanderthals were not less efficient hunters than modern humans. Additionally, Neanderal body shape was adapted to efficient hunting, which further supports the idea that they were skilled hunters.