Neanderthals had elongated skulls, prominent brow ridges, and larger noses. Modern humans average 5'9" for men and 5'4" for women. Neanderthals reached 5'5'6" height with shorter limbs. Neanderthal teeth developed before birth, suggesting faster growth. Neanderthals had stronger bones and thicker metacarpals
Homo sapiens emerged in Africa around 300,000 years ago. Earliest fossils found at Omo-Kibish (233,000-196,000 years ago) and Florisbad (259,000 years ago). Modern humans diverged from H. erectus lineage over 500,000 years ago. Recent Out-of-Africa expansion occurred 70,000-50,000 years ago
Homo emerged from Australopithecus genus, with Homo habilis being the oldest member. Homo erectus appeared about 2 million years ago and spread across Africa and Eurasia. Homo neanderthalensis emerged around 300,000-200,000 years ago in Europe and Asia
Primate lineage diverged from other mammals 85 million years ago. Earliest primate fossils appeared over 55 million years ago. African and Asian hominids diverged about 14 million years ago
Neanderthals were extinct humans that lived in Eurasia until about 40,000 years ago. First discovered in 1856 in Neander Valley, Germany. Named after the valley and German theologian Joachim Neander
First Neanderthal remains found in Belgium and Gibraltar in 1830-1848. Named Homo neanderthalensis in 1864, meaning 'human from the Neander Valley'. Lived from 400,000 to 40,000 years ago across Europe and Asia. Had brain size between 1,200-1,750cm³ and stood 1.50-1.75m tall