Neanderthals and their connection to human evolution

The species, Homo Neanderthalensis, were found across Europe, Southwest, and Central Asia. The Neanderthal Genome Project is an exciting human research project. The most recent findings of Neanderthal fossils were recovered from Western Europe and the near East. DNA has been recovered from more than a dozen fossils. The species appear to have a large nose, a strong double-arched brow ridge, and a relatively short and stocky body. Scientists have revealed that Neanderthals share a common ancestor with humans that lived in Africa, 800,000 years ago. Anatomists have suggested that the skull of the species is similar yet, different from the human skull. It is believed that the Neanderthals perhaps, could not survive in the competition of resources and extreme climatic conditions ultimately, preventing them from building large populations. Genetic analysis showed that they lived in isolated groups and were skilled hunters who killed large ice-age mammals for food. A study revealed that they had larger brains than humans to assist in vision and motor control.