Neanderthals | Estateplanning | Vibepedia.Network

Neanderthals, also known as Homo neanderthalensis, are an extinct group of archaic humans who inhabited Europe and Western and Central Asia during the Middle to Late Pleistocene, approximately 400,000 to 40,000 years ago. The first recognised Neanderthal fossil, Neanderthal 1, was discovered in 1856 in the Neander Valley, Germany, by [[johann-carl-fuhlrott|Johann Carl Fuhlrott]] and [[hermann-schaaffhausen|Hermann Schaaffhausen]]. Initially, Neanderthals were considered to be a lower race, but as more fossils were discovered, they were characterised as a unique species of underdeveloped human. Recent studies, including those by [[svante-paabo|Svante Pääbo]] and [[jean-jacques-hublin|Jean-Jacques Hublin]], have revealed that Neanderthals interbred with modern humans, leaving a genetic legacy in present-day humans. With a brain size similar to that of modern humans, Neanderthals were capable of complex thought and behaviour, as evident from their sophisticated [[stone-tools|stone tools]] and [[cave-art|cave art]]. The Neanderthal extinction, which occurred around 40,000 years ago, is still a topic of debate among scientists, with theories ranging from climate change to competition with modern humans. The study of Neanderthals has been influenced by the work of [[charles-darwin|Charles Darwin]] and [[gregory-morton|Gregory Morton]], and continues to be an active area of research, with new discoveries and advancements in fields like [[ancient-dna|ancient DNA]] and [[paleoanthropology|paleoanthropology]].