Instant Genius: Neanderthals

Cut marks on teeth suggest human evolution developed handedness 1.8 million years ago.

We once lived alongside Neanderthals, but interbreeding, climate change, or violent clashes with rival Homo sapiens led to their demise.

The skull belonged to the oldest-known member of Australopithecus – a group of east African hominins that preceded the emergence of the Homo genus by around two million years.

Early humans' complex weaponry helped them out-compete their cousins.

Homo Neanderthalensis may have gone extinct, but a part of them still lives on inside our DNA.

Despite having a similar-sized brain to modern apes, scientists believe Australopithecus had a lower rate of blood flow to the brain.

Archaeologists have found charred remains of starchy plant parts at an archaeological site in South Africa.

Archaeologists excavated bones of fish, toads, frogs, crocodiles and birds from the Tadrart Acacus mountains in the Saharan Desert.

Although we are descended from Neanderthals, the species does not exist today – it might help the future of homo-sapiens to understand why.

DNA opens up new theory as to how disease spread from Africa to Europe and from Homo sapiens to Neanderthals.

Current levels of Neanderthal inheritance in modern humans a result of long-term difference in population sizes.

The Neanderthal, also known as homo neanderthalensis, could be up for making a come-back.

Neanderthals were often ill or disabled, and many were cared for by the group.

Inbreeding and declining health in small populations could account for the Neanderthals' demise.

Homo neanderthalensis was a close cousin, but not our ancestor.

Archaeologists have found a collection of seashells and volcanic rock once owned by Neanderthals in Grotta dei Moscerini in central Italy.

Researchers estimate that Europeans and Asians to have more equal levels of Neanderthal ancestry than previously thought, and say that for the first time they have found evidence in African populations too.

Pollen found around 70,000-year-old remains reopens the debate as to whether ancient humans buried their dead.

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