Neanderthal man (Homo neanderthalensis) is extinct human species and that it was part of the evolution process of the contemporary human being.
The first Neanderthals would have appeared about 350 thousand years ago, in the current European and Asian continent. However, inexplicably, they became extinct approximately 30,000 years ago.
This human species is named Neanderthal in Neander Valley reference, in Germany, where the first fossils of the species were discovered.
There is still no unanimous consensus among researchers and scientists about what caused the extinction of Neanderthals. There are several theories, but the most accepted point to drastic climate change as the cause of its progressive disappearance.
Some researchers consider Neanderthals a Homo sapiens subspecies (Homo sapiens neanderthalensis), and these came to coexist with modern humans (homo sapiens sapiens) for about 10,000 years.
Contrary to popular belief, contemporary studies show that Neanderthal man could have an intellectual capacity equal to that of the homo sapiens sapiens.
In fact, Neanderthals share more than 99% of their DNA with today's humans. Such evidence proves that the homo sapiens sapiens and Neanderthals even related and reproduced a hybrid species. However, there are still relevant morphological differences that distinguish Neanderthals from modern humans.
Learn more about homo sapiens sapiens.
Neanderthal Man Characteristics
- They inhabited Europe and Asia between 300,000 and 30,000 years ago;
- Physically adapted to cooler environments;
- Brains larger than modern humans;
- They were shorter and more muscular than modern humans;
- dominated the Musterian culture, a characteristic style of stone tool production;
- Eyes larger than those of modern humans;
- Facial bulge, with emphasis on the forehead edge projected forward, just above the nose (wide and flat);
- Skull elongated backwards;
- Big, chunky fingers;
- Absence of chin;
- Low forehead (almost non-existent);
Learn more about homo sapiens.
