Neanderthals lacked the hand- eye coordination to draw vivid renderings of animals and other figures, unlike early modern humans, according to a study which may explain the differences in how both groups hunted. While Neanderthals had large brains and made complex tools, they but never demonstrated the ability to draw recognisable images. Richard Coss, a professor at UC Davis, said that the hand-eye coordination involved in both hunting with throwing spears and drawing representational art could be one factor explaining why modern humans became smarter than Neanderthals. Some anthropologists have suggested that throwing spears from a safe distance made hunting large game less dangerous, he said. However, until now, "no explanation has been given for why large animals, such as hippos and Cape buffalo, are so dangerous to humans," Coss said.

Source: dna February 11, 2018 13:30 UTC