In august 1856 in the Feldofer Grotto in the Neander Valley, Germany, quarry workers digging for limestone discovered a skeleton of what they thought was a cave bear.

They turned their findings over to scientist Johann Karl Fuhlrott. He concluded that the skeleton was distinctly human like but not of the human species. Herman Schaaffausen made the conclusion that it was a different species and named the skull Neander 1. Several years after the discovery of Neanderthal 1, scientists realized that in fact they had discovered prior specimens that were also Neanderthals.

After some testings scientists later found out that Neanderthals lived 200,000 to 30,000 years ago and this time period crossed over with the coming of the Homosapiens (humans).

The scientists concluded that the skeleton was relatively human. Neanderthals show a distinct craniofacial close to a modern human. Everything else specifically the front of their face set them apart from anything before or after.Their body structure is short and robust and heavily built. Their body is similar to that of humans that live in colder climates, depicted by their solid limbs. Bones are thick and heavy with signs of strong muscle attachments. The males skeleton was larger than the females.

Some other skeletal features include

Protruding jaw Weak chin

Receding forehead Nose and brow protruded (probably for cold climates)

Brain case longer and lower Marked bulge at back of skull

Bones thick and heavy with signs of powerful Occipital bum (lump on back of skull)

Large middle region of face

Neanderthals ranged from European and west Asian areas.

The climate areas were cold and harsh.Forrest and bushland with many trees.

Used the technique of hunting with specialised toolsHunted large game and butchered them for other

resources other than food.Neanderthal tribes in eastern Europe would group

together to hunt the larger animals, such as mammoths.

There was competition with other Neanderthals that had neighbouring territories.

They ate some forms of plants and roots.Due to the life in cold climates many of the plants died

in winter seasons so they resorted to eating larger numbers of meat.

There is some scientific evidence that they ate seafood from neighbouring streams and lakes in their areas.

They used tools such as stones, controlled fire to keep warm, lived in shelters, and they made large wooden spears used for hunting large animals.

They were highly skilled at hunting large animals which were especially important for them in the winter when their vegetation supply was cut down.

Sharp bones and sticks were used as needles for joining animal hides for clothing.

There has been evidence that they knowingly buried their dead and on occasion marked the graves with offerings such as flowers. Neither other primates nor earlier human species had been found to practice thing behavior.

Uncovered remains that have been found suggest the family groups cared for the sick and the elderly.

Archaeological evidence suggests that Neanderthals lived in tribal settings, though they’re not certain of the size.

Bone evidence suggests that they had the ability to speak due to the presence of a hyoid bone in their throat. Tribes would have had their own specific languages.

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