HOMO NEARDENTHALENSIS SAPIENS

(Man from the Neander Valley, in Germany, where the first fossil was found)

 

This species lived between 28,000 and 300,000 years ago

 

• early Homo neanderthalensis from about 300,000 years ago

• classic Homo neanderthalensis from about 130,000 years ago

• late Homo neanderthalensis from about 45,000 years ago.

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Important fossil discoveries

 

    The first Neanderthal fossil was found in 1829, but it was not recognised as a possible human ancestor until more fossils were discovered during the second half of the 19th century. Since then, thousands of fossils representing the remains of many hundreds of Neanderthal individuals have been recovered from sites across Europe and the Middle East. These include babies, children and adults up to about 40 years of age. As a result, more is known about this human ancestor than about any other.

 

BODY SIZE AND SHAPE

• Neanderthals were generally shorter and had more robust skeletons and muscular bodies than modern humans

BRAIN

• brain size was larger than the average modern human brain and averaged 1500 cubic centimetres. This is expected, as Neanderthals were generally heavier and more muscular than modern humans. People that live in cold climates also tend to have larger brains than those living in warm climates.

SKULL

• distinctive skull shape that was long and low, with a rounded brain case

• thick but rounded brow ridge lay under a relatively flat and receding forehead

• orbits (eye sockets) were large and rounded

• nose was broad 

• large jaws and strong teeth. Jaws were larger and more robust than those of modern humans.

 

 

 See more at: http://australianmuseum.net.au/homo-neanderthalensis#sthash.1IY3DrKv.dpuf