Neanderthal

Name meaning:

Named after the Neander Valley

Period of life:

130 000 – 28 000 years ago

Period:

Quaternary period

Habitat:

Steppes

Taxonomy:

Mammals

Countries:

Quaternary period Neanderthal | 3D Dinopedia

Ornimegalonyx

Arctodus

Neanderthal (130 000 – 28 000 years ago)

What does the name mean: named after the Neander Valley in Germany, where the first remains were discovered.

Neanderthals were our closest extinct relatives, leaving an indelible mark on human history. These remarkable humans roamed across Europe and Asia for more than 100 thousand years, successfully adapting to the harsh conditions of the Ice Age. A journey back into the Pleistocene reveals a portrait of the Neanderthal filled with fascinating details.

Imagine a short, stocky human possessing extraordinary strength. The average height of a male Neanderthal was about 165 cm, while females averaged around 155 cm. Their muscular, powerfully built bodies were perfectly adapted to cold climates. Broad ribcages allowed deep breaths that saturated the blood with oxygen, while short limbs reduced heat loss.

The face of a Neanderthal differed strikingly from our own. Prominent brow ridges, a broad nose, and a sloping forehead gave them a severe appearance. Interestingly, the Neanderthal brain was even larger than that of modern humans, reaching volumes of up to 1700 cm³.

Around 500,000 years ago, the first proto-Neanderthals appeared on the evolutionary stage. Over thousands of years their appearance gradually changed, until about 130 thousand years ago the classic Neanderthal emerged — the form known from numerous discoveries. Their range extended from the Atlantic coast of Europe to the Altai Mountains in the east, encompassing vast territories with diverse landscapes — from icy wastelands to flourishing valleys.

Despite the harsh environment, Neanderthals were far from primitive cave dwellers. They were skilled hunters who expertly used spears tipped with stone points to hunt large animals such as mammoths, bison, and deer. Their protein-rich diet was supplemented with gathered berries, nuts, and roots. Neanderthals lived in small groups, probably consisting of relatives, and led a nomadic lifestyle, following migrating herds of animals.

The importance of Neanderthals to science can hardly be overstated. Their remains, discovered throughout Europe and Asia, are true windows into the past, allowing us to glimpse the world of ancient humans. By studying their anatomy, genetics, culture, and way of life, we obtain invaluable information about human evolution and our place in this world.

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