Neanderthal
Neanderthals are a sapient species of primate native to Earth, and the closest genetic relatives to Humans. They were populous during the Ice Ages, but declined drastically afterward becoming extinct in only a few centuries, except for in a select few isolated locations.
Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis or sometimes H. sapiens neanderthalensis) are an extinct group of archaic humans who inhabited Europe and Western and Central Asia during the Middle to Late Pleistocene. Neanderthal extinction occurred roughly 40,000 years ago with the immigration of modern humans (Cro-Magnons), but several Neanderthals groups in isolated areas such as Dante's Pit have persisted into the modern day or have evolved into new species.
The first recognised Neanderthal fossil, Neanderthal 1, was discovered in 1856 in the Neander Valley, Germany.
Appearance and Biology
Neanderthal anatomy is characterised by a long and low skull, a heavy and rounded brow ridge, an occipital bun at the back of the skull, strong teeth and jaws, a wide chest, and short limbs. These traits gradually became more frequent through the Middle Pleistocene of Europe, possibly due to natural selection in a cold climate, as well as genetic drift when populations collapsed during glacial periods. Neanderthals would have also been effective sprinters. Neanderthal specimens vary in height from 147.5 to 177 cm (4 ft 10 in to 5 ft 10 in), with average male dimensions of maybe 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) and 75 kg (165 lb). While Neanderthal brain volume averaged higher than any living population — 1,640 cc (100 cu in) for males and 1,460 cc (89 cu in) for females — their brain organisation differed from modern humans in areas related to cognition and language, which could explain the comparative simplicity of Neanderthal behaviour compared to Cro-Magnons in the archaeological record.
Culture
Neanderthals maintained a low population and suffered inbreeding depression, which may have impeded their ability to progress technologically. They produced Mousterian stone tools (a Middle Palaeolithic industry), maintained and created fire, and wore blankets and ponchos. They predominantly ate whatever was abundant close to home, usually big game as well as plants and mushrooms. Neanderthals were frequently victims of major physical traumas and animal attacks. Examples of Palaeolithic art have been attributed to Neanderthals, namely possible ornaments made from bird claws and feathers; collections of unusual objects including crystals and fossils; and engravings. Neanderthals uncommonly buried their dead, but this is not indicative of a religious belief of an afterlife.
Religion
Miscellaneous
Notable Representatives
- Ponter Abbott - cloned from Mutated DNA sample
- Geror Abbott - Mutated Neanderthal, kaiju sized
- Zoey Taylor - Mutated individual
- Anne Doe - Mutated individual