This topic is inspired by my previous one inquring about the "Wendol" of the 13th Warrior.
In this movie/book they are portrayed as sub-human" or "quasi-human" if that makes any sense. They are cannibals, extremely primitive and very savage, ferocious men.
As it was explained to me, the Wendol are meant to be sort of.. left over Neanderthals. The most primitive of mankind, before civilization arrived. At first people automatically assume this race of man mustve died out before the times of such cultures as the Sumerians, Egyptians, Myceneans and so on and so forth.
But just how logical is that assumption? We know that there wasnt really a.. "civilised" (trying not to offend anyone, I consider myself a Celt, but I'm going by Egyptian/Sumerian/Mycenean standards of civilisation) culture running things. No empire. Scattered tribes who apparently did discover bronze casting and such. But how much room is there for Prehistoric man to continue existence? Quite a bit if you think..
But what can we take for a tell-tale sign of Neanderthals?
In my opinion, cannibalism. Look at how many other ancient cultures detested it. Killing was one thing, but cannibalism in thier eyes really set you apart from the rest of the other races.
We do know the Neanderthal was a cannibal, evidence of it has been discovered in a cave in France. Plus in early forms of warfare, as primitive native cultures of recent times and even the present day show us, eating your foe is a good weapon. Psychological warfare at it's most gruesome.
Another thing that seems to have set one apart from other men in these times among some cultures is well size. Y'know, giants! In some cultures it's a good thing, in others your a monster. Take a look at the Nordic tales of frost giants, the Irish and other Celtic tales of giants. Another thing that seems to accompany giants.. is cannibalism. So put 2 and 2 together, a cannibalistic giant.
Goliath man.
According to a National Geographic documentary on the dawn of man I recnetly saw, there was a race of Neanderthal, Goliath man, who arose out of the middle east and eventually migrated to Europe. Many cultures have stories of races of giants living there before them.
But everyone assumes Neanderthals and even Goliaths just disappeared when more advanced races of humans arrived. Come on now, Europe is big enough for everybody! Now lets look at examples of cannibals and giants during ancient times.
The Androphagi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Androphagi
The Oddysey - There were several accounts of cannibals in the Oddysey, and of course the cyclops, a cannibalistic giant.
The Frost Giants of Nordric Myth
Giants in the Bible
http://www.twcenter.net/forums/newth...=newthread&f=7
And of course this races namesake.. Goliath.
Discuss!