THE Neanderthals were none other than our closest human relatives! Yes, you read that right.
Having lived throughout Europe and Asia in the Pleistocene Epoch (read: Ice Age), it is estimated that these human-like beings were around approximately 200 000 years ago.
Neanderthals looked quite like modern human; they were shorter and stockier, had barrel chests and large noses, to adapt themselves in the cold climate. Scientists suggest that the Neanderthals lived like us, in nuclear families.
They took care of the elderly, and those who were not able to self care. It is also believed that they buried their dead. The Neanderthals created and used various stone-based tools, controlled fire, made and wore clothes and enjoyed music.[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”2,3,5″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ]
Although they hunted large animals, scientists have recently found that they cooked and ate vegetables on a regular basis. However, scientists aren’t entirely sure if Neanderthals developed any languages, though based on their brain size and complexity, it is highly possible that might have.
Often referred to as ‘cavemen’, the Neanderthals are believed to have vanished some 30 000 years ago. No one really knows how did they disappear. Some speculate that the dramatic climate shift led to their extinction, while some say human killed the Neanderthals. Recent theory however suggests that the Neanderthals did not go extinct, but interbred with modern humans and were eventually absorbed into our species.
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