Everything Everywhere Daily · Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Archaeological evidence shows Neanderthals lived in hunter-gatherer communities, possibly of a few dozen people, and were skilled toolmakers using methods like the Levallois technique, which required complex planning. They hunted a variety of large animals and demonstrated care for individuals with severe injuries, indicating a level of social complexity and compassion previously underestimated.
“Neanderthals lived as hunter-gatherers. Their communities were probably small, often perhaps just a few dozen people, with individuals moving between groups.”
“Neanderthals were accomplished toolmakers. One important technique they used was the Levallois method. Instead of simply striking random flakes from a rock, a skilled knapper carefully shaped a stone core so that a final strike produced a flake of a predetermined size and shape.”
“The famous Neanderthal specimen known as Shanidar 1, discovered in Iraq, suffered severe injuries. He had major damage to one arm, impaired vision, and other physical problems, yet survived for years.”