WHAT KILLED OFF THE NEANDERTHALS?
The first Homo sapiens reached Europe around 43,000 years ago, replacing the Neanderthals there approximately 3,000 years later.
There are many theories as to what drove the downfall of the Neanderthals.
Experts have suggested that early humans may have carried tropical diseases with them from Africa that wiped out their ape-like cousins.
The first Homo sapiens reached Europe around 43,000 years ago, replacing the Neanderthals (model pictured) there approximately 3,000 years later
Others claim that plummeting temperatures due to climate change wiped out the Neanderthals.
The predominant theory is that early humans killed off the species through competition for food and habitat.
Homo sapiens' superior brain power and hunting techniques meant the Neanderthals couldn't compete.
Based on scans of Neanderthal skulls, a new theory suggests the heavy-browed hominids lacked key human brain regions vital for memory, thinking and communication skills.
That would have affected their social and cognitive abilities - and could have killed them off as they were unable to adapt to climate change.
Read articles that feature this panel
Is THIS what killed off the Neanderthals? Scientists say our ancient cousins lacked part of the brain that helps humans communicate and...
Neanderthals had less grey matter in an area vital for memory, thinking and communication skills, suggests a new study from experts at Keio...
Scientists reveal plan to grow genetically engineered Neanderthal mini-BRAINS in the lab
The lab-grown mini brains will only be about the size of a lentil, and cannot achieve thoughts or feelings – but, they could reveal key...
Neanderthals were 'sophisticated hunters': Our ancient cousins stalked prey in groups before stabbing them at close range with wooden...
Researchers at Mainz University made the discovery after studying 120,000-year-old deer bones from the Neanderthal site of Neumark-Nord in...
Homo sapiens drove Neanderthals to extinction because they learnt to adapt and conquer a variety of climates across the world
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute in Germany and the University of Michigan say Homo sapiens conquered the world because they quickly...
Is this proof early humans were using 'hospital wards' 12,000 years ago? Ancient tribes stopped the spread of deadly diseases by grouping...
Researchers led by Sharon Kessler from Durham University used computer modelling to simulate the evolution of care-giving in four different...
Is our image of the ascent of man all wrong? Reconstruction of a 60,000-year-old ribcage using 3D imaging reveals Neanderthals stood...
Digital reconstruction of a Neanderthal at Tel Aviv University has rebuilt his ribcage and found that the primitive hominid had a better...
Earliest evidence ever uncovered for lead poisoning is found in the teeth of Neanderthal children who lived 250,000 years ago
At least two lead mines are located within 15 miles of the archaeological site at La Payre in the Rhone Valley, south eastern France, where...
Neanderthals and modern humans separated as species at least 800,000 years ago – more than twice as long ago as was previously thought
Researchers from University College London analysed dental evolutionary rates across different hominin species, focusing on early...
Modern humans and Neanderthals lived in Portuguese caves just THREE MILES apart for centuries and could have swapped technology, tools and...
Archaeologists digging in the Lapa do Picareiro cave of central Portugal's Atlantic coast have unearthed stone tools characteristic of...
Most Neanderthal interbreeding with humans took place in the 'Near East' region between North Africa and Iraq around 50,000 years ago, study...
Experts led by Duke University, North Carolina, came to their conclusion after analysing the facial structure of skulls from 13...
The last Neanderthal necklace? Toe bone of an imperial eagle found in a Spanish cave may have been part of ancient Neanderthal jewellery
Thought to have been removed with a tool from an eagle's left leg, the bone was discovered in the Foradada Cave in the village of Calafell...
Hate your nose? Blame your ancient cousins! Neanderthal DNA helps dictate the shape of your snout, study finds
A new study by UCL found that a gene which leads to a taller nose may have been the product of natural selection as ancient humans adapted...
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