Neanderthal

The Neanderthal or Neandertal was a species of genus Homo (Homo neanderthalensis) that inhabited Europe and parts of western Asia from about 230,000 to 29,000 years ago (the Middle Palaeolithic and Lower Paleolithic, in the Pleistocene epoch).

Related Topics:
Genus - Homo - Europe - Asia - Middle Palaeolithic - Lower Paleolithic - Pleistocene

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Neanderthals were adapted to cold, as shown by their larger braincases, short but robust builds and large nose. These traits are promoted by natural selection in cold climates, and are also observed in modern sub-arctic populations. Their brains were roughly 10 percent larger than those of modern humans. On average, Neanderthals stood about 1.65m tall (just under 5' 6") and were very muscular, comparable to modern weight-lifters.

Related Topics:
Nose - Natural selection - Climate - Human

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Their characteristic style of stone tools is called the Mousterian Culture, after a prominent archaeological site where the tools were first found.

Related Topics:
Stone tool - Mousterian Culture - Archaeological site

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