Professor Chris Stringer

And that might have also applied to the kidneys, the liver and so on. So their trunks were very bulky and their pelvis is wide, partly to accommodate that extra bulk in the trunk. They're powerfully built. So the bones are strong and thick. They have large muscle insertions. The articular connections are quite wide. So the skeleton is built to withstand a very demanding lifestyle.

And that might have also applied to the kidneys, the liver and so on. So their trunks were very bulky and their pelvis is wide, partly to accommodate that extra bulk in the trunk. They're powerfully built. So the bones are strong and thick. They have large muscle insertions. The articular connections are quite wide. So the skeleton is built to withstand a very demanding lifestyle.

And that might have also applied to the kidneys, the liver and so on. So their trunks were very bulky and their pelvis is wide, partly to accommodate that extra bulk in the trunk. They're powerfully built. So the bones are strong and thick. They have large muscle insertions. The articular connections are quite wide. So the skeleton is built to withstand a very demanding lifestyle.

Whereas in sapiens, we've got by a larger, more lightly built skeleton, relatively taller, slimmer frame, maybe a bit less muscularity. So this partly is a reflection of genetic inheritance, partly the cold adaptation. So in colder conditions, it's good to have a short and wide body to minimize your skin surface area to maintain heat.

Whereas in sapiens, we've got by a larger, more lightly built skeleton, relatively taller, slimmer frame, maybe a bit less muscularity. So this partly is a reflection of genetic inheritance, partly the cold adaptation. So in colder conditions, it's good to have a short and wide body to minimize your skin surface area to maintain heat.

Whereas in sapiens, we've got by a larger, more lightly built skeleton, relatively taller, slimmer frame, maybe a bit less muscularity. So this partly is a reflection of genetic inheritance, partly the cold adaptation. So in colder conditions, it's good to have a short and wide body to minimize your skin surface area to maintain heat.

So that might partly explain the Neanderthals overall difference, but also it could be a difference of lifestyle. that possibly sapiens were increasingly using technology to take the weight off their skeletons. So using tools to do some of the heavy lifting, some of the heavy work, rather than having to use muscles.

So that might partly explain the Neanderthals overall difference, but also it could be a difference of lifestyle. that possibly sapiens were increasingly using technology to take the weight off their skeletons. So using tools to do some of the heavy lifting, some of the heavy work, rather than having to use muscles.

So that might partly explain the Neanderthals overall difference, but also it could be a difference of lifestyle. that possibly sapiens were increasingly using technology to take the weight off their skeletons. So using tools to do some of the heavy lifting, some of the heavy work, rather than having to use muscles.

Yes, it could be. And the use of strings and nets and ropes and maybe having a more efficient weapon system, throwing spears largely compared with thrusting spears, which the Neanderthals might have used. much more being inclined to use. And so the body shape is certainly distinct between us and the Neanderthals. And that's also true for the cranium, for the head.

Yes, it could be. And the use of strings and nets and ropes and maybe having a more efficient weapon system, throwing spears largely compared with thrusting spears, which the Neanderthals might have used. much more being inclined to use. And so the body shape is certainly distinct between us and the Neanderthals. And that's also true for the cranium, for the head.

Yes, it could be. And the use of strings and nets and ropes and maybe having a more efficient weapon system, throwing spears largely compared with thrusting spears, which the Neanderthals might have used. much more being inclined to use. And so the body shape is certainly distinct between us and the Neanderthals. And that's also true for the cranium, for the head.

So our brain case shape is high and rounded, whereas Neanderthal skulls, in keeping with most of these earlier humans, the skulls were longer and lower. And the brain within is longer and lower in shape compared with the sapiens one.

So our brain case shape is high and rounded, whereas Neanderthal skulls, in keeping with most of these earlier humans, the skulls were longer and lower. And the brain within is longer and lower in shape compared with the sapiens one.

So our brain case shape is high and rounded, whereas Neanderthal skulls, in keeping with most of these earlier humans, the skulls were longer and lower. And the brain within is longer and lower in shape compared with the sapiens one.

At the front, of course, there's a strong brow ridge for the Neanderthals, which again is a common feature of all these earlier humans to have a strong brow ridge over the eyes. The face in Neanderthals is very characteristic.

At the front, of course, there's a strong brow ridge for the Neanderthals, which again is a common feature of all these earlier humans to have a strong brow ridge over the eyes. The face in Neanderthals is very characteristic.

At the front, of course, there's a strong brow ridge for the Neanderthals, which again is a common feature of all these earlier humans to have a strong brow ridge over the eyes. The face in Neanderthals is very characteristic.

Perhaps one of the most distinctive features is that the nose is very large and projecting, but it's part of a complex in the face where the whole middle of the face is pulled forwards and the cheekbones sweep back. So that's very distinctive. That's found in Neanderthals for hundreds of thousands of years.

Perhaps one of the most distinctive features is that the nose is very large and projecting, but it's part of a complex in the face where the whole middle of the face is pulled forwards and the cheekbones sweep back. So that's very distinctive. That's found in Neanderthals for hundreds of thousands of years.