Why couldnt we co-exist with the Neanderthals??

Although genetic studies point to some limited inter-breeding between the species, most paleo-historians still believe Homo Sapiens played a key-role in driving the Neanderthals into extinction. Was it due to humanity's tendency to destroy that which is different from it??

What would historians know about Neanderthals?

Archaeologists are still quite unsure what caused the demise of the Neanderthals but one theory among many is Darwinist in that as the clImate changed humans were more suited o hunting game I the new envIronment.

Edited by Toltec - 29-Jun-2012 at 13:56

Originally posted by Alcebiades Originally posted by Toltec What would historians know about Neanderthals? Archaeologists are still quite unsure what caused the demise of the Neanderthals but one theory among many is Darwinist in that as the clImate changed humans were more suited o hunting game I the new envIronment. "Neanderthals were a separate species from modern humans, and became extinct (due to climate change or interaction with humans) and were replaced by modern humans moving into their habitat beginning around 80,000 years ago.[69] Competition with humans probably contributed to Neanderthal extinction.[70] [71] Jared Diamond has suggested a scenario of violent conflict and displacement.[72]" How could the Homo Sapiens be aware that they were "different" from the Neanderthals??  Recent studies show that we share 99% our DNA with the Neanders, so they couldnt have  looked that different, or be that more stupid. I mean, chimpanzees had more success in fighting off extinction than the Neanders had.

More recent research has shown that the Neanderthals were far smarter - tool makers, etc. - and far more socially organized - caring for the six and injured - than we have ever previously given them credit for.

Given the immensity of their prehistoric world, particularly in terms of hominid population density per square mile, it does not seem logical that conflict with later Cro-Magnon Man caused their demise; indeed, some researchers now believe that some interbreeding possibly occured between the two groups. 

That leaves climate change/changes in food supply as a more likely cause.