Neanderthals

Neanderthals were a subspecies of the human species before and during the development of Homo sapiens sapiens. Neanderthals are a close relative to the modern day human, with only a few anatomical differences. Neanderthals had broad, slightly short, and strong bodies. They also had rounded nasal cavities and a longer skull. In the later part of the Pleistocene age, Neanderthals lived in Europe and western Asia. Neanderthals are important because it is possible that modern humans are descended from them. Neanderthals could have become extinct by being killed by more evolutionarily advanced humans, or they married into the newer humans. Neanderthals are important because they are a close relative and possible ancestor of the modern human.

http://anthropology.si.edu/HumanOrigins/ha/neand.htm

Created by: Charlie Baker Sept. 3, 2008

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2006/08/22/gallery/neanderthals_zoom.jpg