The Inheritors
novel by Golding
Quick Summary
William Golding's novel, The Inheritors (1955), is set during the final days of the Neanderthals. The story explores the conflict between Neanderthals and early modern humans (Homo sapiens), who were replacing or assimilating them. The novel delves into the "essential violence and depravity of human nature". Neanderthals inhabited Eurasia for over 200,000 years before disappearing between 35,000 and 24,000 years ago. They developed a sophisticated stone tool technology and were likely the first to deliberately use fire.12
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