Some refer us to the artistic work of
primitive man. We will consider his drawings and carvings
presently, but they belong to a later race, not the Neanderthal
race. Some lay stress on the fact, apparently indicated in one or
two cases out of a dozen, that primitive man buried his dead.
Professor Sollas says that it indicates that even Neanderthal man
had reached "a comparatively high stage in the evolution of
religious ideas "; but the Australians bury their dead, and the
highest authorities are not agreed whether they have any idea
whatever of a supreme being or of morality. We must also disallow
appeals to the use of fire, the taming of animals, pottery, or
clothing. None of these things are clearly found in conjunction
with the Neanderthal race.
The only certain relic of Neanderthal culture is the implement
which the primitive savage fashioned, by chipping or pressure, of
flint or other hard stone. The fineness of some of these
implements is no indication of great intelligence. The
Neanderthal man inherited a stone culture which was already of
great antiquity. At least one, if not two or three, prolonged
phases of the Old Stone Age were already over when he appeared.
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