Homo Neanderthalensis – Neanderthal man. When we hear this word we typically imagine a stooped hairy man-beast living in a cave and grunting at the other members of his clan. But the reality of what Neanderthal man is and his relationship with man is far different – in fact it couldn’t really be any more different.
The myth: Neanderthals were oafish brutes who were half-man and half-monkey.
I bet when neanderthal kids would make a snowman, someone would always end up saying, ‘Don’t forget the thick, heavy brows.’ Then they would get all embarrassed because they remembered they had the big husky brows too, and they’d get mad and eat the snowman. — Jack Handy
In reality, Neanderthals stood fully erect like humans, they weren’t excessively hairy, they probably spoke a language, they had musical instruments, clothing, homes, and – perhaps most incredibly – took well enough care of their sick that remains which have been discovered show signs of having survived fairly serious traumas.
The reason we have all fallen for this myth comes down to one man: Pierre Marcellin Boule who, in 1911, arranged the remains of a number of Neanderthals to create a creature with a curved spine, bent knees, and jutting hips and head. The result of course looked something like a monkey. But frankly, imagine what wonderful things we could come up with if we mixed together the bones of 10 different humans. As it happens, Boule’s biggest mistake was using the spine of a Neanderthal who suffered from a deforming type of osteoarthritis. Boule also allowed his preconceived notions to cloud his judgement and he gave his specimen a opposable big toe like the great ape despite none of the bones having that attribute.
As so often happens with misconceptions, we hear the error and nothing else can undo it. The real differences between a Neanderthal and a human is that the Neanderthal was shorter on average, had stronger muscles, larger brains (yes – it’s true), bigger chests and broader noses. If a Neanderthal was to be resurrected today, dressed in the latest fashion and put on a bus, no one would be the wiser.
Interesting Fact: There is actually much evidence to show that Neanderthals cared for the sick and old in their communities. There has been fossil evidence that shows potentially life-threatening injuries which were completely healed, indicating that the Neanderthal who suffered the injuries was nursed by to health by another member of his group.
Related Video
Related Books
 The Humans Who Went Extinct  |
 People’s of the Ancient World  |
 The Last Neanderthal  |
 The Story of Human Origins  |
Further Reading
Listverse: Top 10 Misconceptions About Neanderthals
Listverse: Top 10 Signs of Evolution in Modern Man
Listverse: Top 15 Misonceptions about Evolution
Google WDYL: Neanderthal
Wikipedia: Neanderthal
Wikipedia: Homo Heidelbergensis
Wikipedia: Evolution
National Geographic: Last of the Neanderthals
20 Comments
Very cool. Can’t say it’s news to me, but I like the layout/direction of the site so far. Keep it up, Jamie!
Thanks Timothy
Hopefully it will prove to be popular!
Current thought puts Neanderthals demise down to an inability to adapt to extreme climate change. Climate change that we were able to adapt to. Homo Sapiens squeezed them out.
I actually read that in passing while reading for this article. We survived it once we can survive it again
Cool! I like the post!:)
Thanks Jesus
This looks like it’s going to be a really kick ass site. Thank you Jamie for doing what you do.
You are most welcome
I am glad everyone seems to be liking it so far.
The BBc here in the UK just finished a very informative series on this very subject – you may be able to find it still on iplayer (sorry can’t remember it’s exact name but use google and you will find it)
Unfortunately iPlayer doesn’t work outside of the UK and I am not living there any more. I am sure it will eventually turn up on cable here though so I will keep my eyes out for it. Thanks for the tip
Awesome, another place to learn a thing or two. Hope this site becomes as successful as listverse.
Thanks James – me too
Wow, Ok I actually didnt know that at all… I was one of those sad people that had only seen the monkey man pictures… Do I feel stupid now!! And that I why I am loving this site… Always learning new things and correcting any missconceptions I had… Thanks Jamie
I never knew that! Great article =)
Also, fantastic new site! I’ve been a Listverse and Cogitz (even though it appears dead) fan for years. Keep up the good work!
Recent DNA study suggests that Homo Sapiens and Neanderthals interbred… which, according to some definitions of the word, means we actually are the same species! Not that human made words really have an impact on reality or anything like that. Nature doesn’t listen to what we want.
Anyway, if you are from Europe you may have a touch of Neanderthal DNA. Interesting, eh?
A theory exists, that the pale skin colour of Europeans is inherited form the Neanderthals.
Interesting, and maybe so!
Though, I think it more likely that living in a climate with less sunshine made less melanin a desirable trait… more vitamin D that way. As such… paler skin…
Of course, the opposite is true where there is a lot of sunshine. Not enough melanin? Prepare for nasty sunburns and possible skin cancer…
Great job Jamie, I am typing in the dark with a german keyboard, as my misses is watching TV in the dark…love the format, and the topics…keep up the good work!
They found Neanderthal DNA in Papua new guinians.. I’m know white peeps are mutants…
In regard to the above comment, it is also a well-known theory that the Neanderthals simply bred with Homo saps… sorta like many indigenous populations & Europeans.
if the above picture is an example of what a Neanderthal looked like, I see more “cave man” looking types pretty much everyday.