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Homo Neanderthalensis lived 400,000 to 40,000 years ago. It inhabited most of Europe and southwestern to central Asia and lived in higher altitude climates.  They were closely related to humans, differing in DNA by just 0.12%. Neanderthals left various remains such as stone tools and bones. They also made shelters, hunted for their food, and made various symbolic or ornamental objects. These Neanderthals also buried their dead and often marked the deads’ graves with flowers.

The average male Neanderthal was about 5 foot 5 inches and weighed 143 pounds. The average female Neanderthal was about 5 foot 1 inch and weighed 119 pounds. Their short stocky bodies allowed them to be strong and and more efficient for conserving body heat. Their skulls had many defining features. The middle of their faces were very large, their cheeks were angled, and they had large noses for humidifying hot and cold temperatures. Their brains were as large as the modern human and sometimes bigger.