It is an area of Study that has long fascinated me, the emergence of modern humans, and earlier iterations, and of course the reality is we cannot be categorical about things, although Scientists make findings and then interpret them for us, we have to be prepared for new knowledge to change those Scientist's views.
But it is now certain that Neanderthals were a lot more advanced than was thought just a few years ago, and were civilised, I would use that word, their Art, Burial Customs etc etc are evidence of a civilisation.
What I have found interesting to observe in the Interpretations of findings is the obvious bias of the Interpreter. This is evident in Science writers more than the Scientists themselves.
But just as an example, haven't the Writers refrained from pointing out that is is possible that Neanderthals were MORE advanced than the lot who came out of Africa most recently ( recent in Evolutionary terms). It is known that we Europeans and therefore you American Immigrants/Invaders are all related to that group that over time came out of Africa, and also to Neanderthals, but I saw one Writer's thoughts that maybe Neanderthal DNA came to us through interbreeding with a more distant common relative, much earlier in time, than the ones who lived in Europe up until around 35,000 years ago. Why this desire to distance us from Neanderthals ? Bias. Also note that " Modern Man" is always depicted as VERY WHITE in illustrations, or was until recent times, again Bias ?
But there are bound to be more discoveries in this fascinating area of study.
