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A '''Neanderthal''', ''Homo sapiens neanderthalensis'' or ''Homo neanderthalensis'', is a member of a species of extinct hominid of which many fossils have been found.

A '''Neanderthal''', ''Homo sapiens neanderthalensis'' or ''Homo neanderthalensis'', is a member of a species of extinct hominid of which many fossils have been found.

The first fossil hominid 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>

The first fossil hominid 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|310px|Neanderthal (left) and modern human (right) skeletons, showing both the similarities and the differences between the two.]]

[[Image:Human_Skeleton.jpg|right|thumb|310px|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>[http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/N/neanderthal/ Neanderthal Myths ''Neanderthal, Channel 4'']</ref>

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]].

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 with anatomically modern humans, 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.

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 other 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}}

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 other 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>[http://www.d.umn.edu/cla/faculty/troufs/anth1602/video/On_Trial.html Neanderthals on Trial ''University of Minnesota, Duluth'']</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>[http://www-staff.it.uts.edu.au/~simmonds/Sophy/early_man.htm Early Man ''Andy Simmons'']</ref>

Interestingly archaeologists have never found Neanderthal cave drawings, although hand-crafted art has been found.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3256228.stm Neanderthal 'face' found in Loire], ''BBC News''</ref>

Interestingly archaeologists have never found Neanderthal cave drawings, although hand-crafted art has been found.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3256228.stm Neanderthal 'face' found in Loire], ''BBC News''</ref>

* The skeletons of modern humans and Neanderthal are identical in bone count and types. The size differences between the two can be seen today in humans.

* The skeletons of modern humans and Neanderthal are identical in bone count and types. The size differences between the two can be seen today in humans.

* DNA evidence shows Neanderthals to be very similar to humans.

* DNA evidence shows Neanderthals to be very similar to humans.

-Some DNA from Neanderthals is believed to make up all non-african [[genomes]]. <ref>http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/05/100506-science-neanderthals-humans-mated-interbred-dna-gene/</ref>

-Some DNA from Neanderthals is believed to make up all non-african [[genomes]].<ref>http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/05/100506-science-neanderthals-humans-mated-interbred-dna-gene/</ref>

The Institute for Creation Research explains about the DNA evidence:

The Institute for Creation Research explains about the DNA evidence:

{{cquote|The recent recovery of mitochondrial DNA from the right humerus of the Neanderthal remains from Neander Valley near Düsseldorf, Germany, has been of great interest to evolutionists and creationists alike (Krings et al., 1997). Based on the comparison of modern human mt DNA and that taken from the Neanderthal, evolutionists have argued that the "Neanderthal line" diverged from the line of "hominids" leading to modern humans about 600,000 years B.P. without contributing mt DNA to modern Homo sapiens populations. This strongly implies that Neanderthals were a different species from modern humans. However, the above noted interpretation is not scientifically justified. Lubenow (1998) has pointed out that the use of a statistical average of a large modern human sample (994 sequences from 1669 modern humans) compared with the mt DNA sequence from one Neanderthal is not appropriate. Furthermore, the mt DNA sequence differences among modern humans range from 1 to 24 substitutions, with an average of eight substitutions, whereas, the mt DNA sequence differences between modern man and the Neanderthal specimen range from 22 to 36 substitutions, placing Neanderthals, at worst, on the fringes of the modern range. <ref>http://www.icr.org/article/468/</ref>}}

{{cquote|The recent recovery of mitochondrial DNA from the right humerus of the Neanderthal remains from Neander Valley near Düsseldorf, Germany, has been of great interest to evolutionists and creationists alike (Krings et al., 1997). Based on the comparison of modern human mt DNA and that taken from the Neanderthal, evolutionists have argued that the "Neanderthal line" diverged from the line of "hominids" leading to modern humans about 600,000 years B.P. without contributing mt DNA to modern Homo sapiens populations. This strongly implies that Neanderthals were a different species from modern humans. However, the above noted interpretation is not scientifically justified. Lubenow (1998) has pointed out that the use of a statistical average of a large modern human sample (994 sequences from 1669 modern humans) compared with the mt DNA sequence from one Neanderthal is not appropriate. Furthermore, the mt DNA sequence differences among modern humans range from 1 to 24 substitutions, with an average of eight substitutions, whereas, the mt DNA sequence differences between modern man and the Neanderthal specimen range from 22 to 36 substitutions, placing Neanderthals, at worst, on the fringes of the modern range.<ref>http://www.icr.org/article/468/</ref>}}

Harsh conditions due to the [[Ice Age]] after the [[flood|Great flood]] caused human groups to migrate and splinter off to survive.  Neanderthal type traits were best suited for the harsh cold.  Malnutrition and longer life spans could cause features similar to those seen in Neanderthal skeletons. <ref>Neanderthals are still human [http://www.icr.org/article/468/]</ref>

Harsh conditions due to the [[Ice Age]] after the [[flood|Great flood]] caused human groups to migrate and splinter off to survive.  Neanderthal type traits were best suited for the harsh cold.  Malnutrition and longer life spans could cause features similar to those seen in Neanderthal skeletons.<ref>[http://www.icr.org/article/468/ Neanderthals are still human]</ref>

== History according to Evolutionists ==

== History according to Evolutionists ==

[[Image:Neanderthal_sites.gif|right|thumb|350px|The last refuges of the Neanderthals, with evolutionary dates.]]

[[Image:Neanderthal_sites.gif|right|thumb|350px|The last refuges of the Neanderthals, with evolutionary dates.]]

Evolutionists claim that Neanderthal man developed from ''Homo erectus'', though the widespread distribution of intermediate forms hinders an attempt to resolve any single geographical locality as the place of development. The fate of Neanderthals is equally hard to determine, but they are believed to have gone extinct between 28,000 and 24,000 years ago <ref>Neanderthals' 'last rock refuge' ''BBC News'' [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5343266.stm]</ref>, but how or why is unknown: many theories have been presented, these are the most common ones:  

Evolutionists claim that Neanderthal man developed from ''Homo erectus'', though the widespread distribution of intermediate forms hinders an attempt to resolve any single geographical locality as the place of development. The fate of Neanderthals is equally hard to determine, but they are believed to have gone extinct between 28,000 and 24,000 years ago,<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5343266.stm Neanderthals' 'last rock refuge' ''BBC News'']</ref> but how or why is unknown: many theories have been presented, these are the most common ones:  

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

* Competition with other humans over resources.<ref>Did Use of Free Trade Cause Neanderthal Extinction? ''Newswise'' [http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/510666/]</ref>

* Competition with other humans over resources.<ref>[http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/510666/ Did Use of Free Trade Cause Neanderthal Extinction? ''Newswise'']</ref>

* Their reliance on meat.<ref>Meaty appetites may have caused Neanderthal extinction ''Science & Spirit'' [http://www.science-spirit.org/archive_cm_detail.php?new_id=317]</ref>

* Their reliance on meat.<ref>Meaty appetites may have caused Neanderthal extinction ''Science & Spirit'' [http://www.science-spirit.org/archive_cm_detail.php?new_id=317]</ref>

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

* Being genocidally wiped out by other humans.<ref>Odd man out: Neanderthals and modern humans ''British Archaeology'' [http://www.britarch.ac.uk/ba/ba51/ba51feat.html]</ref>

* Being genocidally wiped out by other humans.<ref>[http://www.britarch.ac.uk/ba/ba51/ba51feat.html Odd man out: Neanderthals and modern humans ''British Archaeology'']</ref>

* [http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/05/100506-science-neanderthals-humans-mated-interbred-dna-gene/]

* [http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/05/100506-science-neanderthals-humans-mated-interbred-dna-gene/]