Theories of pre-history are a mirror on their times
What humans’ perspective on the past says about them
THERE IS NO doubt that the past can shape the future in profound ways: consider climate change, for instance. It is also true that imagined pasts can influence real-world events. Vladimir Putin invokes history to justify his invasion of Ukraine, picturing it as a child that was snatched from Mother Russia and should be returned. Ukrainians see things differently. This clash of visions underpins the bloodiest war in Europe since 1945.
This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “Who are you calling a Neanderthal?”
From the June 22nd 2024 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from Culture
The real theme of J.D. Vance’s and Donald Trump’s memoirs
“Hillbilly Elegy” and “The Art of the Deal” reveal a lot about who the men are—and were
How “The Blair Witch Project” changed horror films
Released 25 years ago, it was a masterclass in doing more with less
A poignant reflection on Native American “blood quantum” laws
A new novel follows a man cast out from the tribe in which he grew up