Scientists have recently concluded that Neanderthals were not less intelligent than our ancestors (Homo sapiens) because they developed tools that were as equally efficient. This is significant because it suggests that the lack of intelligence was not a definitive cause for Neanderthal extinction.
Blades were first produced by Homo sapiens during their colonization of Europe from Africa approximately 40,000 years ago. This has traditionally been thought to be a dramatic technological advance, helping Homo sapiens out-compete, and eventually eradicate, their Stone Age cousins. Yet when the research team analysed their data there was no statistical difference between the efficiency of the two technologies. In fact, their findings showed that in some respects the flakes favored by Neanderthals were more efficient than the blades adopted by Homo sapiens.
Some quick notes about Neanderthals, a species which inhabited Europe and parts of Western/Central Asia:
- They had a larger cranial capacity – brains might be larger.
- They were exclusively carnivorous
- They co-existed with humans up to 15,000 years after Homo sapiens migrated into Europe.
- Their overall population might not have exceeded over 10,000 individuals.
Some resources: