Neanderthals are popularly regarded as the large and stupid cousins of humans who lack our intellectual sophistication. After all, they went extinct — we didn't (at least not yet.) Despite decades of archaeological research debunking the idea that our ancient relatives were the black sheep of our collective primate family, this disparaging anti-Neanderthal notion persists. Yet, according to researchers who recently analyzed famous cave paintings in France, we've known for a long time that Neanderthals are capable of tool-making, art, perhaps even music. Now, a new study sheds light on just how ancient Neanderthal art is, a staggering 57,000 years old.
According to researchers who recently analyzed famous cave paintings in France, there is another adjective that should be associated with Neanderthals — artistically inclined.
