Homo neanderthalensis (4) by ZENART07 on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

1. Homo neanderthalensis, commonly known as Neanderthals, were an ancient species of humans that lived in Eurasia for a significant part of our prehistory.
2. They existed from approximately 400,000 to 40,000 years ago, with their closest relatives being modern humans, Homo sapiens.
3. Neanderthals are known for their distinctive physical features, including robust bodies, shorter stature, and a prominent brow ridge.
4. They adapted to harsh ice-age environments, developing tools and strategies for hunting and survival.
5. Neanderthals had complex social structures, created art, and buried their dead, suggesting a level of cultural sophistication.
6. Their disappearance from the fossil record around 40,000 years ago is still a subject of debate among scientists, with factors such as climate change and competition with modern humans being considered.
7. Genetic studies have revealed that some Neanderthal DNA is present in the genomes of modern humans, indicating interbreeding between the two species.
8. Research on Neanderthals continues to shed light on human evolution and the shared ancestry of modern humans and Neanderthals.
9. They were skilled hunters and gatherers, relying on a diet that included large game animals, plants, and other food sources.
10. The study of Neanderthals has deepened our understanding of the complex tapestry of human evolution and the diversity of our ancient ancestors.