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Line 1: − [[Image:Neanderthals.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Modern reconstruction of Neanderthal men.]] Line 5:
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Removed images as probable copyright violations, as discussed on talk page.
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 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 thought by some to be circa 80,000 to 30,000 years ago. Within western Europe the remains are associated with the middle [[Paleolithic]] [[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 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 thought by some to be circa 80,000 to 30,000 years ago. Within western Europe the remains are associated with the middle [[Paleolithic]] [[Mousterian]] stone tool industries that disappeared with the arrival of [[Cro-magnon]] man (early modern Humans.)
==Anatomy==
==Anatomy==
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 appear on average more muscular than humans and lacked a chin, they were social creatures living in small tribes. 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 appear on average more muscular than humans and lacked a chin, they were social creatures living in small tribes. 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>.
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.
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>The Dawn of Human Culture <i>Richard Klein, New York, John Wiley and Sons, 2002</i></ref>
<ref>The Dawn of Human Culture <i>Richard Klein, New York, John Wiley and Sons, 2002</i></ref>
==Society==
==Society==
Evidence suggests Neanderthals may have been about as intelligent as an average human, they were social creatures living in small tribes, and that Neanderthal tribes interacted less with each other than human tribes did.
Evidence suggests Neanderthals may have been about as intelligent as an average human, they were social creatures living in small tribes, and that Neanderthal tribes interacted less with each other than human tribes did.
==History==
==History==
Neanderthal man is thought to have developed from ''Homo erectus'', though the widespread distribution of an [[evolution]]ary "intermediate form" hinders an attempt to resolve any single geographical locality as the place of development. The fate of Neanderthals is equally hard or determine, some scientists think they went extinct between 28,000 and 24,000 years ago
Neanderthal man is thought to have developed from ''Homo erectus'', though the widespread distribution of an [[evolution]]ary "intermediate form" hinders an attempt to resolve any single geographical locality as the place of development. The fate of Neanderthals is equally hard or determine, some scientists think they went extinct between 28,000 and 24,000 years ago
<ref>Neanderthals' 'last rock refuge' <i>BBC News</i> [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5343266.stm]</ref>, but they can't explain how or why: many theories have been presented, these are the most common ones:
<ref>Neanderthals' 'last rock refuge' <i>BBC News</i> [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5343266.stm]</ref>, but they can't explain how or why: many theories have been presented, these are the most common ones: