Wild Men or Homo Neanderthalensis? What does the Chinese Paleo-Mythology tell Us about Their Interaction with Homo Sapiens

Abstract

Paleo-mythology - a term coined by the author - to describe the study of ancient myths and legends that date back to prehistoric times, often reflecting the interpretations of early human communities about their environment (nature), origins, and interactions with other human-like species as well as animals. This paper explores how paleo-mythology intersects with paleo-anthropology, particularly in understanding the relationship between Homo sapiens and the archaic Homo neanderthalensis (Neanderthals). This paper hypothesizes that certain Chinese mythological beings, like wild men (e.g., Almas, Guai Ren, Kui, Shan Gui, Yeren) and ape-man hybrid, may be symbolic echoes of these early human encounters, preserved in folklore and oral traditions. By integrating cultural narratives with archaeological and genetic evidence, this paper aims to enrich current understanding of ancient human behavior, cognition, and interactions between modern humans and Neanderthals. It also discusses the role of paleo-mythology in shedding light on the cultural memory of ancient populations, particularly those of East Asia, and its potential to inform both the cognitive and genetic histories of modern humans.

Keywords: Ancient myths, Cultural memory, Homo sapiens, Interbreeding, Neanderthals