Neanderthal
Homo sapiens neanderthalensis
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Chordata
Mammalia
Primates
Simiiformes
Hominidae
Homo
Homo sapiens neanderthalensis
Homo means “man” in Latin, and neanderthalensis refers to the Neander Valley (“Neanderthal” in German) near Düsseldorf, Germany, where fossils were first discovered in 1856. The valley itself was named after Joachim Neander, a 17th-century pastor and hymn writer. Thus, “Neanderthal” literally means “Neander’s Valley Man.”
The Cold-Adapted Cousin – Neanderthal (Homo neanderthalensis)
Description
Stocky, powerful, and remarkably intelligent, the Neanderthal was a master of Ice Age survival. Flourishing across glacial Europe and western Asia, they lived in small, close-knit bands that hunted megafauna like reindeer and bison, crafted sophisticated tools, and even buried their dead. Their short limbs and broad chest conserved heat, and their brains were as large—or larger—than ours. Though long stereotyped as brutish, modern archaeology paints them as resourceful and symbolic beings who may have sung, painted, and shared language with Homo sapiens.
Quick Facts
Max Mass
Shoulder Height
Standing Height
Length
Diet
Trophic Level
76
1.5
1.7
kg
m
m
m
Omnivore, Facultative Carnivore
Hunt History
Humans didn’t hunt Neanderthals so much as encounter them—sometimes as rivals, sometimes as mates. Early modern humans arriving from Africa 50–45,000 years ago shared the European landscape with Neanderthals for several millennia. Both species hunted the same prey, and evidence suggests occasional violence but also interbreeding. Neanderthals themselves were adept hunters, using thrusting spears to take down large mammals at close range, often sustaining injuries comparable to rodeo riders.
Archaeological and Historical Context:
La Ferrassie, France (ca. 70,000 years ago) – Burial site with intact skeletons; strong evidence of ritual treatment of the dead.
Shanidar Cave, Iraq (ca. 60,000 years ago) – Multiple burials, including an individual with healed injuries, indicating social care and group cohesion.
Vindija Cave, Croatia (ca. 40,000 years ago) – Late-surviving population; genetic material shows admixture with early modern humans.
Time & Range
Extinction Status
Globally Extinct
Extinction Date
Temporal Range
Region
40000
BP
Late Pleistocene
Europe, Western Asia, and parts of Central Asia
Fat Analysis
Fatness Profile:
Fat %
Est. Renderable Fat
kg
Targeted Organs
Adipose Depots
Preferred Cuts
Hunt Difficulty (x/5)
5