Homo neanderthalensis
Homo neanderthalensis, also known as Neanderthals, were a species of archaic humans who lived in Eurasia until about 40,000 years ago. They are our closest extinct human relatives, sharing a common ancestor with modern humans. Neanderthals were well-adapted to the cold climates of the Pleistocene epoch and had a robust physical build.
Physical Characteristics
- Stocky build with shorter limbs
- Prominent brow ridges
- Large nasal cavities
- Distinctive cranial shape
Behavior and Culture
Neanderthals were skilled hunters and toolmakers, using a wide array of stone tools and hunting large game animals such as mammoths and bison. They also had a form of symbolic culture as evidenced by the presence of burial sites and the use of body ornamentation.
Genetic Legacy
Modern humans of non-African descent carry a small percentage of Neanderthal DNA, indicating that interbreeding occurred between the two groups when they coexisted in Eurasia.
Extinction
The reasons for the extinction of Neanderthals are still debated, but climate change, competition with modern humans, and other environmental factors may have played a role.
Study Guide
- What were the physical characteristics of Neanderthals?
- What evidence suggests that Neanderthals had a form of symbolic culture?
- How did Neanderthals interact with modern humans?
- What are some of the proposed reasons for the extinction of Neanderthals?
