Is there any evidence that Neanderthals were less intelligent than humans at their peak? I was under the impression that recent research has basically completely nullified the idea that Neanderthals were less intelligent, and the current belief is that they’re just as intelligent as humans. Is there newer research that I’m not aware of that contrasts this line of thinking?
My understanding was that they went extinct because they needed more calories to stay alive (due to their strength) and also they stayed together in smaller groups of ~10-20 people, compared to humans’ ~100 people groups.
When Neanderthals came into contact with humans, they were either absorbed into or outcompeted by human groups
Is there any evidence that Neanderthals were less intelligent than humans at their peak? I was under the impression that recent research has basically completely nullified the idea that Neanderthals were less intelligent, and the current belief is that they’re just as intelligent as humans. Is there newer research that I’m not aware of that contrasts this line of thinking?
Why they extinct?
My understanding was that they went extinct because they needed more calories to stay alive (due to their strength) and also they stayed together in smaller groups of ~10-20 people, compared to humans’ ~100 people groups.
When Neanderthals came into contact with humans, they were either absorbed into or outcompeted by human groups
It also seems they lacked the dexterity of humans. So they had to hunt with spears by stabbing at them instead of throwing them from a safer distance.