Neanderthals

WATCH: A Paleolithic time capsule: Rare prehistoric cave discovered near highway outside of Haifa

The cave dates back to 400,000 and 250,000 years ago, to the time of the Acheulo-Yabrudian culture – a collection of archaeological cultures in the Levant from the end of the Lower Paleolithic era.

Cave from Lower Paleolithic era found south of Haifa, June 11, 2026.
Rupert van Der Werff from Summers Place Auctions with a rare skeleton of a long-extinct woolly rhinoceros in Billingshurst, England, March 5, 2019; file photo.

Neanderthals' ancient toolkit included hammers, blades made from rhino teeth, study finds

Views from five different angles of a molar of an adult Neanderthal individual, discovered at Chagyrskaya Cave in the Siberia region of Russia and dating to about 59,000 years ago, seen in this undated image released on May 13, 2026.

Neanderthal tooth from Siberian cave shows signs of earliest-known invasive dental surgery - study

 Neanderthal life. Illustration.

Extremely painful: Evidence suggests Neanderthals performed root canals 59,000 years ago


Archaeologists date 80,000-year-old Neanderthal bone spearhead found in North Caucasus cave

This finding disproves the myth of Neanderthals' primitiveness: they planned complex composite tools.

 Archaeologists date 80,000-year-old Neanderthal bone spearhead found in North Caucasus cave.

Earliest symbolic burial practices found in Tinshemet Cave, Israel

Evidence suggests Neanderthals and Homo sapiens shared burial customs and symbolic behaviors.

 Earliest symbolic burial practices found in Tinshemet Cave, Israel.

Researchers precisely date Lapedo child, Neanderthal-Human hybrid

'The new date for the child is consistent with original estimates for the age of the burial, but it has changed our interpretation of the burial events themselves,' said lead author Bethan Linscott.

 Researchers precisely date Neanderthal-Human hybrid using advanced radiocarbon analysis.

Neanderthal inner ears labyrinth hold clues to their ‘bottleneck event’, a rapid decline in numbers

Drastic climatic changes likely had profound impacts on the genetic and morphological variability of the Neanderthal lineage.

 Neanderthal inner ears labyrinth hold clues to their ‘bottleneck event’, a rapid decline in numbers. Illustration.

Blood incompatibility with Homo sapiens may have led to Neanderthal extinction

If Neanderthal women mated with Homo sapiens or Denisovan men, there was a high risk of newborns having neonatal hemolytic disease.

 Blood incompatibility with Homo sapiens may have led to Neanderthal extinction.

Researchers use skeletons from Israel, Iraq to find source of Neanderthals' super strength

Neanderthals relied on strategic ambushes that required explosive strength and precision, allowing them to overpower large prey such as lions, cave bears, and prehistoric elephants.

 Researchers use skeletons from Israel, Iraq to find source of Neanderthals' super strength.

Child, teen, and adult: Neanderthal teeth found at Arbreda Cave illuminate prehistoric life

The research in the *American Journal of Biological Anthropology* suggests Neanderthals at Cova de l'Arbreda alternated between short seasonal stays and longer settlements.

 Child, teen, and adult: Neanderthal teeth found at Arbreda Cave illuminate prehistoric life.

University of Buffalo researchers uncover ancient roots of carb addiction

This finding suggests that Homo sapiens had a taste for starch much before the domestication of crops shaped the human diet.

 University of Buffalo researchers uncover ancient roots of carb addiction.

Discovery in Prado Vargas Cave suggests Neanderthals practiced abstract thinking

Researchers believe marine fossils were deliberately collected by Neanderthals, despite holding no practical value.

 Researchers believe marine fossils were deliberately collected by Neanderthals, despite holding no practical value.

Do you have Neanderthal teeth? Study shows how neanderthal genes shape modern human mouths

At least one gene believed to have been inherited due to interbreeding with ancient humans.

 Study shows how neanderthal genes shape modern human mouths.