Neandertals and Humans in Popular Culture: A Critical Analysis (15% of grade)
DUE MONDAY, APRIL 24 before MIDNIGHT (your TA will decide if they want it in hard copy
or submitted through Blackboard)
Neandertals and “Cro-Magnon” (early AMH) have long held the popular imagination. From
Boule’s unfortunate depiction of the old man at La Chapelle as a stooped, brooding primitive, to
the tyranny of the Paleodiet, pop culture is frequently drawing on our hominin cousins and early
forms of our species to make sense of our place in the world.
For this assignment, you will watch a film that provides a pop culture representation of
Neandertal and/or anatomically modern humans (and their interactions).
Drawing on at least TWO peer-reviewed academic journal articles from the pool provided (as
well as additional academic/scholarly sources and course materials of your choosing), you will
analyze film depictions of Neandertals, AMH and their interactions with the help of current
paleoanthropological and archaeological evidence and perspectives from your readings.
Your paper must be between 750-1000 words, needs to follow proper citation practices (Chicago
Manual style guide) and must contain ONLY scholarly/academic sources. At least two of those
sources must come from articles provided. Feel free to explore academic journals for additional
articles, and of course use course material where appropriate.
You must pick ONE of these films and watch the entire thing. All films are available on Amazon
Instant Video for rent ($2-4).
Film Choices:1
The Clan of the Cave Bear (1986)
Quest for Fire (1982)