In the beginning of time, when the first men awoke from their animal sleep they saw a world much different, new and unexpectedly challenging. This book describes the struggle, travails and eventual victory of early man to transition from animal to man. It is also an insight into the ways, the lifestyle and into the mind of the food gatherer, the hunter and the eventual farmer.
The predecessor of the Neanderthal was the Australopithecus. The Neanderthal eventually transitioned to become the modern man (through the Cro-Magnon) who built the early villages, towns, and cities. Carbon dating lists the Neanderthal to have lived between 600,000–350,000 years ago. A Neanderthal was well-built with strong bone structures. Most were carninvorous, whereas some were food gatherers.
Akaru-Ku, who is a young Neanderthal in his early 20's has been raised by his community which stays at the foothills of the North-Rhine Westphilia hills in the Neanderthal valley 12 km east of Dusseldorf in early Germany. His father had moved to Germany from the borders of France due to floods and famines in the region. The community is made of both food gatherers and hunters. He has four half brothers and two sisters.
The Neanderthal men and women cover themselves with animal skins to protect themselves from the cold and it is also their basic clothing. The men are occupied in fishing, hunting and food gathering. The community has about 25 to 30 people in all and they live in caves near the foothills of the mountains. The Neanderthal valley is covered by dense forests and animals such as Bears, Snow Leopards, the Sabre Tooth, Lions and Boars are in plenty. The forest is abundant with wild trees of all species and genus. Fresh fruits, berries, and gourds are some of the food gathered and collected by the Neanderthal. Men hunt the boar with their home made spears sharpened with jasper and stone heads. Axes with stones tied on top of them are also used to hurl at animals from a distance to kill, maim or dumbstruck them. The aim of the Neanderthal is remarkable and every weapon is executed with force and alacrity to meet its purpose. A hunting team usually has three to four men to kill and capture a boar, a wild bison, or a reindeer. Wild animals which stray near the homes or crossing their paths are scared off by howling, beating weapons together or on the ground and also by throwing stones at the predator. Spears are used to attack a wild beast in an encounter to kill it. The Neanderthal confronts everything from a wild bear or a wild cat with instant vigour, forced vitality and an inner desire for victory over the animal. Every animal brought down during a showdown is seen with pride and gratification by the community and the victor who brings such trophies most often gets to think, act and decide for the community. Wild animals are not eaten, but their bones, teeth and claws become trophies and ornaments and their leather is used for clothing. The Neanderthal spoke in a language of howls and grunts much like animals and the phonetics was unclear unlike modern humans who developed a clear and concise language. They had strong arms, legs and ribs making them the strongest among Homo Sapiens.
In all, the Neanderthal lives for the day, he has no concern for the tomorrow and he waits for every day to bring him new trophies and surprises. A typical Neanderthal goes to sleep at 10 in the night while his mates keep watch outside the caves till 2 and wakes by 4 to go hunting in the early morning. A early morning hunt yields boars and wild deers at the watering holes and in the foliages. Birds such as pigeons, fowl and woodpeckers are also hunting material for the Neanderthal. The winter is cold and long stretching from late October to late March. The summers are short and rain is frequent during all seasons. The Spring brings new fruits and autumn sheds the foliage from trees. The rivers and lakes are abundant with fresh water and springs are available close to the caves from this water sources. Fish is also a staple and is hunted with bare hands and spears by walking through the lakes and rivers.
The predecessor of the Neanderthal was the Australopithecus. The Neanderthal eventually transitioned to become the modern man (through the Cro-Magnon) who built the early villages, towns, and cities. Carbon dating lists the Neanderthal to have lived between 600,000–350,000 years ago. A Neanderthal was well-built with strong bone structures. Most were carninvorous, whereas some were food gatherers.
Akaru-Ku, who is a young Neanderthal in his early 20's has been raised by his community which stays at the foothills of the North-Rhine Westphilia hills in the Neanderthal valley 12 km east of Dusseldorf in early Germany. His father had moved to Germany from the borders of France due to floods and famines in the region. The community is made of both food gatherers and hunters. He has four half brothers and two sisters.
The Neanderthal men and women cover themselves with animal skins to protect themselves from the cold and it is also their basic clothing. The men are occupied in fishing, hunting and food gathering. The community has about 25 to 30 people in all and they live in caves near the foothills of the mountains. The Neanderthal valley is covered by dense forests and animals such as Bears, Snow Leopards, the Sabre Tooth, Lions and Boars are in plenty. The forest is abundant with wild trees of all species and genus. Fresh fruits, berries, and gourds are some of the food gathered and collected by the Neanderthal. Men hunt the boar with their home made spears sharpened with jasper and stone heads. Axes with stones tied on top of them are also used to hurl at animals from a distance to kill, maim or dumbstruck them. The aim of the Neanderthal is remarkable and every weapon is executed with force and alacrity to meet its purpose. A hunting team usually has three to four men to kill and capture a boar, a wild bison, or a reindeer. Wild animals which stray near the homes or crossing their paths are scared off by howling, beating weapons together or on the ground and also by throwing stones at the predator. Spears are used to attack a wild beast in an encounter to kill it. The Neanderthal confronts everything from a wild bear or a wild cat with instant vigour, forced vitality and an inner desire for victory over the animal. Every animal brought down during a showdown is seen with pride and gratification by the community and the victor who brings such trophies most often gets to think, act and decide for the community. Wild animals are not eaten, but their bones, teeth and claws become trophies and ornaments and their leather is used for clothing. The Neanderthal spoke in a language of howls and grunts much like animals and the phonetics was unclear unlike modern humans who developed a clear and concise language. They had strong arms, legs and ribs making them the strongest among Homo Sapiens.
In all, the Neanderthal lives for the day, he has no concern for the tomorrow and he waits for every day to bring him new trophies and surprises. A typical Neanderthal goes to sleep at 10 in the night while his mates keep watch outside the caves till 2 and wakes by 4 to go hunting in the early morning. A early morning hunt yields boars and wild deers at the watering holes and in the foliages. Birds such as pigeons, fowl and woodpeckers are also hunting material for the Neanderthal. The winter is cold and long stretching from late October to late March. The summers are short and rain is frequent during all seasons. The Spring brings new fruits and autumn sheds the foliage from trees. The rivers and lakes are abundant with fresh water and springs are available close to the caves from this water sources. Fish is also a staple and is hunted with bare hands and spears by walking through the lakes and rivers.
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