Prehistoric hu-mans like Neanderthals had deep sense of compassion and they also cared for others, according to a new study.
Researchers from the University of York discovered that early humans such as Homo heidelbergensis and Neanderthals in Europe had developed commitments to the welfare of others between 500,000 and
40,000 years ago.
The team, which looked into archaeological evidence for their research, found that the injured or infirm were routinely cared for during that period, the Daily Mail reported. Remains examined by them revealed how a child with a congenital brain abnormality was not abandoned but lived until five or six years old. The evidence also showed how a Neanderthal with a withered arm, deformed feet and blindness in one eye was cared for, perhaps for as long as 20 years.
The four-stage model developed by Penny Spikins, Andy Needham and Holly Rutherford charts the beginnings of human empathy from six million years ago when the common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees began to “help” others, perhaps with a gesture of comfort or moving a branch to allow them to pass.
Compassion in Homo erectus began 1.8 million years ago that was regulated as an emotion integrated with rational thought, the researchers said.
Care of sick individuals showed compassion towards others while special treatment of the dead suggested grief at the loss of a loved one and a desire to soothe individuals.
In modern humans starting 120,000 years ago, compassion was extended to strangers, animals, objects and abstract concepts.