The Neanderthal subsistence portrayed in the film is also questionable. Researchers and archaeological anthropologists have found that the Neanderthals were predominantly meat-eaters and were skilled hunters; dissimilar to what was portrayed in the film. The Ulam tribe was shown to be predominantly plant eaters, and rarely in the film were they shown to be hunting for food or eating meats. According to the American Journal of Physical Anthropology, the physiological stress induced by cold climates imposed significant high-energy demands on Neanderthals’ bodies forcing them to consume high-energy and protein-rich diets (Fiorenza et. Al. 2014: 43-71). Mammals were the main fuels for the bodies of the Neanderthals, due to their high energetic
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The film never loses track of its scientific accuracy while presenting the three tribes in a unique way. The film uses grunts as the communication strategy for the Kzamm and Ulam tribes, perhaps to give the viewers a more realistic feel concerning the primitive man’s vocabulary. The Neanderthals’ physical characteristics were also portrayed realistically by the actors – large noses, large brow ridge, short, and robust (Lecture: Monday, January 23rd 2017). Their locomotor patterns were also realistic and scientifically accurate given their physical characteristics and short, stocky limbs. For their social organization, the Ulam tribe were seen taking care of their elders and the injured when they were attacked by a Homo erectus tribe. This is also consistent with scientific studies as scientists have found that the Neanderthals cared for their elders and the injured, and healed broken bones appeared common (Lecture: Monday, January 23rd 2017). Furthermore, recent DNA studies have also found that Neanderthals had red hair and pale skin – the Ulam and the Kzamm tribes were shown to have slightly red hair and pale skin in the film. The Neanderthals’ physical features also suggest that they were cold-adapted people (Lecture: Monday, January 23rd 2017). For this reason, it is very plausible that they were dependent on the use of fire for warmth and survival as it was depicted in the
The film never loses track of its scientific accuracy while presenting the three tribes in a unique way. The film uses grunts as the communication strategy for the Kzamm and Ulam tribes, perhaps to give the viewers a more realistic feel concerning the primitive man’s vocabulary. The Neanderthals’ physical characteristics were also portrayed realistically by the actors – large noses, large brow ridge, short, and robust (Lecture: Monday, January 23rd 2017). Their locomotor patterns were also realistic and scientifically accurate given their physical characteristics and short, stocky limbs. For their social organization, the Ulam tribe were seen taking care of their elders and the injured when they were attacked by a Homo erectus tribe. This is also consistent with scientific studies as scientists have found that the Neanderthals cared for their elders and the injured, and healed broken bones appeared common (Lecture: Monday, January 23rd 2017). Furthermore, recent DNA studies have also found that Neanderthals had red hair and pale skin – the Ulam and the Kzamm tribes were shown to have slightly red hair and pale skin in the film. The Neanderthals’ physical features also suggest that they were cold-adapted people (Lecture: Monday, January 23rd 2017). For this reason, it is very plausible that they were dependent on the use of fire for warmth and survival as it was depicted in the