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Well, let's think about this shall we?
Neanderthals had brains that were around five percent bigger than ours. It does not necessarily mean they were smarter than us. But the idea that they were stupid is as old-fashioned and primitive as the Neanderthal stereotype comes across. They were far from stupid.
For one thing, they could speak. Scientists had found a hyoid bone comparable to ours and this helped Neanderthals to produce a wide range of sounds-in other words, speech. So Neanderthals must have had some form of language. Language and the ability to communicate is one sign of intelligence.
They may have had some kind of religion, though this is still debated. The skull of a cave bear that kept within a stone chest in a cave supposedly inhabited by Neanderthals. The cave bear skull was either some kind of trophy or some kind of tribal god. The Neanderthals also buried their dead, and a few burial sites were found with offerings. This not only shows care, but shows some kind of culture. In terms of creativity-they had paint, yes, but this may actually have been used as body paint rather than something to dab on the walls of a cave. But there has been an interesting find by scientists-a bear bone with a row of holes penetrated into it. This may have been a Flute, which scientists suspect may have been made by Neanderthals.
It's also been proven that they can show a display of emotions-aggression, empathy, sympathy etc. Basically, they would have shown the same emotions that we feel.
When our species arrived, with our advanced technology, Neanderthals had tools which in some cases were more efficient than ours. For example, when trying to cut something as hard as leather, Neanderthals had larger tools that got the job done far more quickly than our smaller, more nimble tools did.
Yet Neanderthals may have shown some kind of appreciation for our technology and tried to copy some of them-for example, they tried to make throwing spears and started to use ochre in their burials.
Language, culture, emotion, inventiveness and the willingness to try out new techniques and technology was something these Neanderthals had, and it's these things that show high intellegence. So overall, scientists might just be able to agree that Neanderthals were as smart as humans today.
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Do scientists think that humans and Neanderthals interbred?
Yes. Recent DNA testing has proved that interbreeding did occur.
Did neanderthals invent pottery?
No, Neanderthals did not invent pottery. The creation of pottery is attributed to modern humans, who began crafting ceramic vessels around 20,000 years ago. Neanderthals, a different human species that coexisted with modern humans, did not engage in pottery-making.
Who were the Neanderthal's enemies?
Neanderthals likely faced threats from various predators such as saber-toothed cats and cave bears. They may also have competed with early modern humans for resources as both species lived in the same regions.
Did neanderthals wear shoes?
It is not definitively known if Neanderthals wore shoes. However, some evidence suggests they may have used some form of footwear like animal hides or plant fibers to protect their feet from the environment.
Do neanderthals deserve human rights?
Neanderthals are an extinct species and therefore are not alive to hold rights. Though they are closely related to humans, they are not Homo sapiens and do not belong to the same species. The concept of human rights pertains specifically to Homo sapiens.
