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The 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. ''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 [[Neander]] 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.)  

Neanderthal Man is associated with the Middle Paleolithic Mousterian tool tradition <ref><i>Thieme, Hartmut "Lower to Midle Paleolithic Hunting Spears, and Lithic Tool Traditions." Archaeology 13, 2003</i></ref>.

Neanderthal Man is associated with the Middle Paleolithic Mousterian tool tradition <ref><i>Thieme, Hartmut "Lower to Midle Paleolithic Hunting Spears, and Lithic Tool Traditions." Archaeology 13, 2003</i></ref>.

==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>.

<ref>Odd man out: Neanderthals and modern humans <i>British Archaeology</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>.  

Homo neanderthalensis also had an average brainsize of 1,450 cc with a range from 1,125cc to 1,750cc. Average human brain size now is about 1,330cc.  

Homo neanderthalensis also had an average brain size of 1,450 cc with a range from 1,125cc to 1,750cc. Average human brain size now is about 1,330cc.  

Reseachers speculate Neanderthals needed this extra brain-mass to control there large muscle-mass.

Reseachers speculate Neanderthals needed this extra brain-mass to control there large muscle-mass.

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.

==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.{{fact}}

Neanderthals had the ability to make fire, for food they relied on hunting, and 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, and 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 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.

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.

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 [[Pygmees]] hunt elephants.

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 [[Pygmies]] hunt elephants.

Evidence of care for the elderly and the sick has been found at the Shanindar Caves site.<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.<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 at the Shanindar Caves site.<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.<ref>Early Man <i>Andy Simmons</i> [http://www-staff.it.uts.edu.au/~simmonds/Sophy/early_man.htm]</ref>.

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:  

- Climate changes. <ref> Climate Change Pushed Neanderthal Into Extinction In Iberian Peninsula <i> GeneticArchaeology.com</i> [http://www.geneticarchaeology.com/Research/Climate_Change_Pushed_Neanderthal_Into_Extinction_In_Iberian_Peninsula.asp]</ref>

- Climate changes. <ref> Climate Change Pushed Neanderthal Into Extinction In Iberian Peninsula <i> GeneticArchaeology.com</i> [http://www.geneticarchaeology.com/Research/Climate_Change_Pushed_Neanderthal_Into_Extinction_In_Iberian_Peninsula.asp]</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>

- 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>

Some postulate it is likely a combination of at least some of these factors led to the extinction of the Neanderthals.

Some postulate it is likely a combination of at least some of these factors led to the extinction of the Neanderthals.

==Creationist's views==

==Creationist's views==

[[Young Earth Creationism|Young Earth Creationists]] do not believe Neanderthals were a now extinct prehistoric sentient species, but believe that Neanderthals were fully human <ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v1/n2/worthy-ancestors</ref>, based on these factors:

[[Young Earth Creationism|Young Earth Creationists]] do not believe Neanderthals were a now extinct prehistoric sentient species, but believe that Neanderthals were fully human <ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v1/n2/worthy-ancestors</ref>, based on these factors:

For these reasons creationists call neanderthals "Homo sapiens neanderthalensis", classifying them as a human subspecies.

For these reasons creationists call neanderthals "Homo sapiens neanderthalensis", classifying them as a human subspecies.

[[Category:Primates]]

[[Category:Primates]]