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A '''Neanderthal''' is a member of a group of [[humanoid]]s of which many fossils have been found.

A '''Neanderthal''' is a member of a group of [[humanoid]]s of which many fossils have been found.

It was first fossil humanoid to be identified as such, and the best known, named after remains found in the [[Neander]] valley in western [[Germany]] in 1856. ''Neanderthal'' is found throughout [[Europe]] and the [[Near East]].  Neanderthal man is associated with the Middle [[Palaeolithic]] [[Mousterian]] tool tradition. <ref>Thieme, Hartmut, "Lower to Middle Paleolithic Hunting Spears, and Lithic Tool Traditions" Archaeology, 13, 2003.</ref>

The first fossil humanoid to be identified as such, and the best known, it was named after remains found in the [[Neander]] valley in western [[Germany]] in 1856. ''Neanderthal'' is found throughout [[Europe]] and the [[Near East]].  Neanderthals are associated with the Middle [[Palaeolithic]] [[Mousterian]] tool tradition. <ref>Thieme, Hartmut, "Lower to Middle Paleolithic Hunting Spears, and Lithic Tool Traditions" Archaeology, 13, 2003.</ref>

==Anatomy==

==Anatomy==

[[Image:Human_Skeleton.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Neanderthal (left) and modern human (right) skeletons, showing both the similarities and the differences between the two.]]

[[Image:Human_Skeleton.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Neanderthal (left) and modern human (right) skeletons, showing both the similarities and the differences between the two.]]

A Neanderthal was a fully erect biped of stocky build, with a long low skull, prominent brow ridges and [[occiputs]], and a jutting face.  

A Neanderthal was a fully erect biped of stocky build, with a long low skull, prominent brow ridges and [[occiputs]], and a jutting face.  

Neanderthals were on average more muscular than modern humans and lacked a chin. Presumably, they were social creatures living in small tribes, like other humans<!-- Cro magnons? --> of their time, Neanderthals also possessed the skull features required for speech <ref>Neanderthal Myths ''Neanderthal, Channel 4'' [http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/N/neanderthal/]</ref>.

Neanderthals were on average more muscular than modern humans and lacked a chin. Presumably, they were social creatures living in small tribes, like other humans<!-- Cro magnons? --> of their time.  Neanderthals also possessed the skull features required for speech <ref>Neanderthal Myths ''Neanderthal, Channel 4'' [http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/N/neanderthal/]</ref>.

The popular impression of him as a stooping brute is incorrect and derives from the original poor reconstruction in the Neander valley. It has also been suggested that the first individual found suffered from vitamin D deficiency ([[rickets]]) or [[syphilis]].

The popular impression of them as stooping brutes is incorrect and derives from the original poor reconstruction in the Neander valley. It has also been suggested that the first individual found suffered from vitamin D deficiency ([[rickets]]) or [[syphilis]].

Whether Neanderthals did interbreed, or if this was even possible, is not agreed.

Whether Neanderthals did interbreed with anatomically modern humans, or if this was even possible, is not agreed.

Neantherthals had a gene associated with language and speech, that had the same variation as found in modern humans but is different from the equivalent gene found in [[chimpanzee]]s.<ref>Swaminathan, N., [http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=cave-speak-did-neandertal Cave speak: Did Neandertals talk?], Scientific American News, 19th October 2007</ref>

Neantherthals had a gene associated with language and speech, that had the same variation as found in modern humans but is different from the equivalent gene found in [[chimpanzee]]s.<ref>Swaminathan, N., [http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=cave-speak-did-neandertal Cave speak: Did Neandertals talk?], Scientific American News, 19th October 2007</ref>

Neanderthal also had an average brain size of 1,450 cc with a range from 1,125cc to 1,750cc.  Average modern human brain size is 1,330cc.  Many Neanderthal fossils have been recovered showing massive amounts of wear on the teeth, which to many physical anthropologists suggests that the teeth were regularly used for gripping skins during stretching and working.<ref>Klein, Richard. The Dawn of Human Culture. New York, John Wiley and Sons, 2002.</ref>

Neanderthal also had an average brain size of 1,450 cc with a range from 1,125cc to 1,750cc.  The average modern human brain size is 1,330cc.  Many Neanderthal fossils have been recovered showing massive amounts of wear on the teeth, which to many physical anthropologists suggests that the teeth were regularly used for gripping skins during stretching and working.<ref>Klein, Richard. The Dawn of Human Culture. New York, John Wiley and Sons, 2002.</ref>

==Society==

==Society==

{{cquote|No other organisms, either living or fossil, made tools to make other complex tools, buried their dead, had controlled use of fire, practiced religious ceremonies, used complex syntax in their spoken grammar, and played musical instruments, yet we know from their fossils that Neanderthal engaged in all.<ref>http://www.icr.org/article/468/</ref>}}

{{cquote|No other organisms, either living or fossil, made tools to make other complex tools, buried their dead, had controlled use of fire, practiced religious ceremonies, used complex syntax in their spoken grammar, and played musical instruments, yet we know from their fossils that Neanderthal engaged in all.<ref>http://www.icr.org/article/468/</ref>}}

Neanderthals were probably about as intelligent as an average human, they were social creatures living in small tribes, like the humans of their time, studies suggest that Neanderthal tribes interacted less with each other than human tribes did. {{fact}}

Neanderthals were probably about as intelligent as an average human, they were social creatures living in small tribes, like the humans of their time.  Studies suggest that Neanderthal tribes interacted less with each other than human tribes did. {{fact}}

Neanderthals had the ability to make fire. They never invented projectile weapons but relied on spears with limited range, even when facing large animals, their robust bodies enabled them to use this hunting style that was considered far too dangerous by humans. {{fact}} A common hunting technique was to drive prey animals off a cliff, or corner them prey and finish them of with spears, much like today's [[Pygmy|Pygmies]] hunt elephants.{{fact}}

Neanderthals had the ability to make fire. They never invented projectile weapons, but relied on spears with limited range, even when facing large animals. It was likely their robust bodies that enabled them to use this hunting style that was considered far too dangerous by humans. {{fact}} A common hunting technique was to drive prey animals off a cliff, or to corner their prey and finish them off with spears, much like today's [[Pygmy|Pygmies]] hunt elephants.{{fact}}

Evidence of care for the elderly and the sick has been found in the Shanidar Caves in Iraq,<ref>Neanderthals on Trial ''University of Minnesota, Duluth'' [http://www.d.umn.edu/cla/faculty/troufs/anth1602/video/On_Trial.html]</ref> they also used medicinal plants, made clothes out of animal skins and used stone tools. A find at rock shelters in La Ferrassie, [[France]] indicates elaborate burials, suggesting some sort of [[religion]]<ref>Early Man ''Andy Simmons'' [http://www-staff.it.uts.edu.au/~simmonds/Sophy/early_man.htm]</ref>.

Evidence of care for the elderly and the sick has been found in the Shanidar Caves in Iraq,<ref>Neanderthals on Trial ''University of Minnesota, Duluth'' [http://www.d.umn.edu/cla/faculty/troufs/anth1602/video/On_Trial.html]</ref> they also used medicinal plants, made clothes out of animal skins and used stone tools. A find at rock shelters in La Ferrassie, [[France]] indicates elaborate burials, suggesting some sort of [[religion]]<ref>Early Man ''Andy Simmons'' [http://www-staff.it.uts.edu.au/~simmonds/Sophy/early_man.htm]</ref>.

Evolutionists consider it likely that a combination of at least some of these factors led to the extinction of the Neanderthals.

Evolutionists consider it likely that a combination of at least some of these factors led to the extinction of the Neanderthals.

Neanderthal Man is not considered to be a direct ancestor of modern humans, but their remains are examples of [[transitional fossil]]s along a subsidiary branch, an evolutionary dead end.{{fact}}

Neanderthal Man is not considered to be a direct ancestor of modern humans, but its remains are examples of [[transitional fossil]]s along a subsidiary branch, an evolutionary dead end.{{fact}}

==References==

==References==