How do we know that Neanderthal skeletons are Neanderthal skeletons?

[x278]

How do we know that Neanderthal skeletons are Neanderthal skeletons and not just human skeletons experiencing decomposition? Just asking.

[Fireball]

How do we know that Neanderthal skeletons are Neanderthal skeletons and not just human skeletons experiencing decomposition? Just asking.

Go ask at biological sites. Just saying.

[Angrboda]

I got nothin'.

[Silver]

Neanderthals were humans, just an earlier less evolved version, and usually the shape of the skull is what differentiates it from modern human remains.

[arewethereyet]

Hi, new person. It's customary to start with a short introduction before diving into other topics.

Tell us a little about yourself.

[The Architect Of Fate]

How do we know that Neanderthal skeletons are Neanderthal skeletons and not just human skeletons experiencing decomposition? Just asking.

Because even if you factored in decomposition the structure of the skeleton is clearly not human

[Jehanne]

How do we know that Neanderthal skeletons are Neanderthal skeletons and not just human skeletons experiencing decomposition? Just asking.

Same way that you would tell the difference between a dog & a cat.

[Thumpalumpacus]

How do we know that Neanderthal skeletons are Neanderthal skeletons and not just human skeletons experiencing decomposition? Just asking.

Neanderthals were generally more robust. They had thicker bones. The skull had a different shape, with less room for the prefrontal cortex, with an accentuated occipital bun housing wetware for improved smell and vision, it is suspected. The bones throughout the body are of heavier build. Aside from being thicker, these bones also show more wear at points where tendons and ligaments either cross or attach to bones and joints, due to heavier musculature. The facial bone-structure on Neanderthals is more extended; it projects from the skull a little more.

Homo Sapiens and Erectus both are more gracile in build, with bones being proportionally smaller throughout the body-build, the face being flatter and less projecting, the cranial vault having more cortical volume.

Decomposing human skeletons don't get thicker, and that's a big indicator.

[LadyForCamus]

How do we know that Neanderthal skeletons are Neanderthal skeletons and not just human skeletons experiencing decomposition? Just asking.

I’m sorry, what?

[Anomalocaris]

Neanderthals were humans, just an earlier less evolved version, and usually the shape of the skull is what differentiates it from modern human remains.

to say neanderthal are less evolved version of humans betray both a misunderstanding of the traits that distinguish neanderthal, and more profoundly a fundamental misunderstanding of what “evolved” means in the context of evolution.