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[[Image:Neanderthals.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Modern reconstruction of Neanderthal men.]]

[[Image:Neanderthals.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Modern reconstruction of Neanderthal men.]]

The first fossil humanoid to be identified as such, and the best known, named after remains found in the [[Neanderthal]] valley in western [[Germany]] in 1856. ''Homo (sapiens) neanderthalensis'' is found throughout [[Europe]] and the [[Near East]] and also the remainder of the [[Old World]] in variant forms, during the late Middle and Upper Pleistocene circa 80,000 to 30,000 years ago. Within western Europe the remains are associated with the middle [[palaeolithic]] [[Mousterian]] stone tool industries that disappeared with the arrival of [[Cro-magnon]] man (early modern Humans.)  

The first fossil humanoid to be identified as such, and the best known, named after remains found in the [[Neanderthal]] valley in western [[Germany]] in 1856. ''Homo (sapiens) neanderthalensis'' is found throughout [[Europe]] and the [[Near East]] and also the remainder of the [[Old World]] in variant forms, during the late Middle and Upper Pleistocene circa 80,000 to 30,000 years ago. Within western Europe the remains are associated with the middle [[palaeolithic]] [[Mousterian]] stone tool industries that disappeared with the arrival of [[Cro-magnon]] man (early modern Humans.)  

==Anatomy==

==Anatomy==

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

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

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 humans and lacked a chin, they were social creatures living in small tribes, like the humans of their time, Neanderthals also possessed the skull features required for speech <ref>Neanderthal Myths <i>Neanderthal, Channel 4</i> [http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/N/neanderthal/]</ref>.

Neanderthals were on average more muscular than humans and lacked a chin, they were social creatures living in small tribes, like the humans of their time, Neanderthals also possessed the skull features required for speech <ref>Neanderthal Myths <i>Neanderthal, Channel 4</i> [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 Neanderthal valley. It has also been suggested that the first individual found suffered from vitamin D deficiency ([[rickets]]) or [[syphilis]].

The popular impression of him as a stooping brute is incorrect and derives from the original poor reconstruction in the Neanderthal 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 remains unknown, so far the small amounts of Neanderthal [[DNA]] found do not suggest a recent genetic link between the species  

Whether Neanderthals did interbreed, or if this was even possible remains unknown, so far the small amounts of Neanderthal [[DNA]] found do not suggest a recent genetic link between the species  

<ref>Odd man out: Neanderthals and modern humans <i>British Archaelogy</i> [http://www.britarch.ac.uk/ba/ba51/ba51feat.html]</ref>.  

<ref>Odd man out: Neanderthals and modern humans <i>British Archaeology</i> [http://www.britarch.ac.uk/ba/ba51/ba51feat.html]</ref>.  

Neanderthals had the ability to make fire, for food they relied on hunting, they were probably strictly carnivorous <ref>Living like a Neanderthal <i>Neanderthal, Channel 4</i> [http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/N/neanderthal/]</ref>.

Neanderthals had the ability to make fire, for food they relied on hunting, they were probably strictly carnivorous <ref>Living like a Neanderthal <i>Neanderthal, Channel 4</i> [http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/N/neanderthal/]</ref>.

They never invented projectile weapons but relied on speers 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.

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.

Evidence of care for the elderly and the sick has been found <ref>Neanderthals on Trial <i>University of Minnesota, Duluth</i> [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. Neanderthals performed elaborate burying rituals, suggesting some sort of religion <ref>Early Man <i>Andy Simmons</i> [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 <ref>Neanderthals on Trial <i>University of Minnesota, Duluth</i> [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. Neanderthals performed elaborate burying rituals, suggesting some sort of religion <ref>Early Man <i>Andy Simmons</i> [http://www-staff.it.uts.edu.au/~simmonds/Sophy/early_man.htm]</ref>.

- Assimilation into the larger human population. <ref>The assimilation model, modern human origins in Europe and the extinction of Neanderthals <i>Fred H. Smith, Ivor Jankovic, Ivor Karavanic</i> [http://www.ffzg.hr/arheo/prap/the%20assimilation%20model.pdf]</ref>

- Assimilation into the larger human population. <ref>The assimilation model, modern human origins in Europe and the extinction of Neanderthals <i>Fred H. Smith, Ivor Jankovic, Ivor Karavanic</i> [http://www.ffzg.hr/arheo/prap/the%20assimilation%20model.pdf]</ref>

- An interspecies "Zeroth World War". <ref>Odd man out: Neanderthals and modern humans <i>British Archaelogy </i>[http://www.britarch.ac.uk/ba/ba51/ba51feat.html]</ref>

- An interspecies "Zeroth World War". <ref>Odd man out: Neanderthals and modern humans <i>British Archaeology </i>[http://www.britarch.ac.uk/ba/ba51/ba51feat.html]</ref>