Everything Everywhere Daily · Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Neanderthals were generally shorter and more robustly built than modern humans, with an average male height of about 5'5" and exceptionally muscular bodies adapted for cold climates. Their skulls featured large brow ridges, a long, low brain case, a projecting mid-face, and a weak chin, but their cranial capacity was comparable to or slightly greater than modern humans.
“Neanderthals were generally shorter and much more robustly built than modern humans. Adult males were probably around 5'5" or 165 centimeters on average, while females were somewhat shorter.”
“Their skulls were distinctive as well. Neanderthals had enormous brow ridges, a long low brain case, a projecting mid-face, a weak or absent chin, and a large nose.”
“Neanderthal brains were not smaller than human brains. The average cranial capacity was roughly comparable to or slightly greater than modern humans, commonly around 1400 to 1500 cubic centimeters.”