Horizon: Neanderthal
Neanderthals are an ancient and very close relative of anatomically modern humans who lived in Europe and western and central Asia during the late Pleistocene. According to the evidence, the earliest neanderthals lived in Europe about 200,000 years ago. But then, about 30,000 years ago, they disappeared, just when the first modern humans appear in Europe. The story has it that modern humans spread out of Africa about 100,000 years ago with better brains and tools. As they spread into neanderthal territory, they simply out-competed their primitive cousins. However, how accurate is this story? The BBC's "Horizon" investigates
In 1848, a strange skull was discovered on the military outpost of Gibraltar. It was undoubtedly human, but also displayed some of the heavy features of an ape, including distinct brow ridges and a projecting face. Just what was this ancient creature? And when had it lived? As more remains were discovered, one thing became clear: this creature had once lived right across Europe. The remains were named "Homo neanderthalensis" (Neanderthal man), and it became clear that it was an ancient and very close relative of anatomically modern humans.
The archaeological evidence revealed that the earliest neanderthals had lived in Europe about 200,000 years ago. But then, about 30,000 years ago, they disappeared, just at the time when the first anatomically modern humans appear in Europe. The story has it that anatomically modern humans spread out of Africa about 100,000 years ago with better brains and more sophisticated tools. As they spread into neanderthal territory, they simply out-competed their primitive cousins. However, how accurate is this story? The BBC's "Horizon" investigates . . .
In this fascinating documentary, scientists reconstruct "Home neanderthalensis" in unrivaled detail. Various experiements are then conducted to see how anatomically modern humans would have stood up against neanderthals in strength and endurance, and how neanderthals may have compared to anatomically modern humans in intelligence and inventiveness. Were neanderthals really just simple-minded brutes? And most importantly, why are they gone while anatomically modern humans remain?