Neanderthals fill a prominent yet ambiguous position in studies of human origins. In the nineteenth century their discovery and less than flattering description was responsible for the popular view of cave men. The original description emphasized the anatomical differences from modern humans, particularly as short and brutish appearing individuals. Today it is known that anatomical differences were more obvious in the skull, shoulder blade, and pelvis. Their short and muscular build with short limbs is similar to modern peoples adapted to cold climates. A large number of stone tools and weapons have been found, more advanced than those of Homo erectus. Neanderthals are associated with the Middle Paleolithic in Europe, Near East, and West Asia. Their sites are found between England and Afghanistan and the temporal range is approximately 200,000 to circa 30,000 years ago. Neanderthals are the first people known to have buried their dead...