Neandertals attached blades to wooden handles in order to
A beat animals down.
B protect themselves from charging animals.
C make tools easier to use.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is C: make tools easier to use.
Neandertals attached blades to wooden handles to create more efficient and functional tools. This process, known as hafting, allowed them to combine the sharpness of flint or stone blades with the durability and reach of wooden shafts. This technique greatly improved their ability to cut, scrape, or butcher animals, and it made tools easier to use with less effort and greater precision.
Before hafting, stone tools were typically used as hand-held implements, but this could be inefficient or tiring, especially when dealing with larger animals or tougher materials. Attaching the blade to a wooden handle allowed the Neandertals to apply more force without straining their hands and fingers. It also provided better leverage and control, particularly when using spears or axes for hunting or processing animals. This innovation also made tools more versatile, enabling them to perform a variety of tasks more effectively.
The hafting technique also shows that Neandertals had a sophisticated understanding of materials and tool-making. They would have had to select appropriate types of wood for handles and carefully attach the stone blade using natural adhesives, such as plant resins, and possibly even bindings like sinew. This method demonstrated advanced cognitive abilities in problem-solving, as Neandertals needed to consider factors such as the balance, strength, and durability of the tools.
In summary, hafting enabled Neandertals to create more efficient tools that improved their ability to hunt, process food, and protect themselves, providing them with an advantage in their environment.