Cut marks and breakage on the Krapina Neanderthal bones: stereomicroscopic analysis and interpretation

The debate on Neanderthal culture and on its distinctive traits is included in a more ample debate on the interactions between Neanderthals and anatomically modern humans. As observed by some Authors (Marshack, 1988; D’Errico et al., 1998) this debate is based on the argument that biological differences (morphological and molecular) have to correspond to different intellectual capabilities. A “measure” of the intellectual capabilities of past populations may be done only on the basis of material evidence in the biological (fossil) and archaeological record. As regards the Neanderthals, lifestyles, technology, evidence of burials have been debated as related or not to a symbolic system. In particular the matter of Neanderthal burial has been discussed long in relation to the systematic vs. occasional events; many of them were clearly interred in pits whereas some others, represented only by disarticulated bones, could have been the object of other mortuary rituals (cannibalism or secondary burial).