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Homo Neanderthalensis lived from about 250,000 to 30,000 years ago, which is the last species to diverge from the human line prior to the emergence of modern humans and the last species of hominid to have gone extinct. Neanderthals lived in a cultural period during the Middle Paleolithic. Neanderthals lived mostly in cold climates, and their body proportions are similar to those of modern cold adapted peoples, which is short and stocky with solid limbs. Shorter than modern humans, males stood 1.6 meters high and 84 kilos and females stood about 1.5 meters at 80 kilos. Western European Neanderthals usually have a more robust form and sometimes referred to as the “classic Neanderthal.” Like erectus, Neanderthal had a protruding jaw, weak chin, and receding forehead. The nose and brow also protruded a feature that is not found in erectus and was probably due to adaptation in cold climates. Moreover, they have a slightly larger brain capacity than modern humans (1450cc – 1800cc or maybe even more). Their brain case is longer and lower that that of modern humans, with a marked bulge at the back of the skull. Bones are thick and heavy, showing signs of powerful muscle attachments.
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