Homo neanderthalensis: Bruder, Vetter, wilder Mann? Seine Darstellung in ausgewählten populär-wissenschaftlichen Magazinen von 1948 – 2006

Abstract

In spite of modern presentations, the image of the club swinging half-ape like Neanderthal man still exists. The target of my thesis was the investigation of the cause and the development of this cliché. The basis of this research work is taken from the analysis of the figure of the “wild man” in literature, the research history, the research to date and the examination of the image of the Neanderthal man in several selected popular science magazines. The causes of the negative reception of the Neanderthal man after his development were the equalization with the “Wild man” and the Imperial Great Powers’ transfer of the former image of the native peoples of the conquered areas as primitive savages.
The enquiry of selected magazines from 1947 – 2006 on the basis of a cross-chart and a text- and picture analysis shows a rather negative picture of Neanderthal man until November 1973. Until July 1996 the prehistoric man was presented with predominant positive characters. From September 1998 on the image of the Neanderthal man is continuously human-like. Some features allied to him are not scientifically proven. To date a twin-like image of Neanderthal man is presented as having the same cultural and intellectual features like modern man and as having created cave art, figurative art and musical instruments and as if he hunted with arrow and bow. A more scientific presentation would be more beneficial for archaeology, because it enhances the interests for well-founded research.