Which species is known for the practice of burying their dead?

The practice of burying the dead is most notably associated with Neandertals, who displayed sophisticated funerary practices. Evidence from archaeological sites indicates that Neandertals intentionally buried their dead, often including grave goods such as tools, flowers, or animal remains, which suggests a level of ritualistic behavior and an understanding of mortality. This practice is significant as it reflects cognitive complexity and social structures within Neandertal communities, indicating their capacity for empathy and a sense of reverence for the deceased.

While Homo sapiens also engage in burial practices, the question implies that the specific identification of the species known for this earlier than modern humans points towards Neandertals, who were the first hominins for which we have clear evidence of deliberate burial. Other species, such as Homo habilis and Australopithecus, show no substantial evidence of burial practices, which marks the Neandertals as the most prominent example among those listed.