Neandertal burial practices in Western Asia: How different are they from those of the early Homo sapiens?

The Middle Paleolithic of Western Asia is one of the more composite time periods in human evolution as it hosted at least two hominin species – early Homo sapiens and Neandertals. The early Homo sapiens originated from Africa whereas Neandertals arrived from Europe. In the Levant, these populations explored the same geographical niches, utilized similar resources, and may even inhabited the same caves. While the biological and morphological evidence discriminate between the two hominin populations, the material culture does not. Middle Paleolithic Neandertals and Homo sapiens used the same knapping methods to make their formal stone tools (i.e., Levallois core technology). This unique scenario hypothetically proposes that the two species shared one material culture. In the current research, we examine this hypothesis through studying the burial practices of these two distinct populations and comparing biological and cultural data from primary grave contexts. Examined anthropological and cultural variables show similar behavior in some respects such as body position, gender, age at death or burial offerings/goods, but also exhibit differences in location of burials within the caves, choice of different grave goods, and special positional markers. The analyzed data propose the two populations share some cultural behavior from the origin territory (Europe, Africa). Nevertheless, Middle Paleolithic Levantine burials are earlier than Neandertal burials in Europe and from Homo sapiens burials in Africa. Accordingly, we conclude the custom of human burials was innovated in the Levant from where it spread to the Neandertal territorial range in Europe. The arrival of Homo sapiens and Neandertal populations to the Levant between MIS 5 and MIS 3 likely influenced territorial dynamics. A compelling indicator of land ownership is evident in the widespread practice of burials by both populations. We hypothesize that the growing frequency of burials by these two populations in Western Asia is linked to the intensified competition for resources and space resulting from the arrival of these populations.