If ever the Neanderthals survived until now...?

Question

Do you think that they might be even smarter than us modern humans? Because according to findings, their brains were much larger than modern humans. Do you think that they might have a much more advanced civilization than our civilization?

Answer 1

It's unlikely but still an interesting question.

I have sometimes wondered if just maybe a small minority of neanderthals did survive and adapt and even learn metal usage. There's all those legends about dwarf smiths?

Maybe the smart ones didnt live in caves?

Again its an interesting question but we can only speculate?

Answer 2

I think I may have seen a few at work this week, and they weren't so bright! ;-)

Answer 3

From what I've read, they were idiots compared to our ancestors.

Answer 4

The Neanderthal culture didn't really change over the thousands of years of their existence. That's pretty strong evidence that they wouldn't have surpassed us.

There's no evidence or art, making tools a new way and so on. Compare the earliest Neanderthals with the last and there's not a lot of difference.

The only time artwork and changes in tool making appear is right at the end of the species. Most likely that's due to contact with modern humans.

Brain size doesn't automatically equal intelligence.The largest know human brain was of a person with minimal intelligence.