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You state that Neanderthal DNA was halfway between ours and chimps, which means we had a common ancestor, not that we descended from neaderthals or chimps.

Sorry but that's idiotic. A common ancestor would be further removed from us than the neanderthal and all parties agree that the Neanderthal is too far removed to be an ancestor. That's like claiming that dogs are too far genetically removed from wolves to be descended from them and that, therefore, they (dogs) must be descended directly from fish.

Besides, Neaderthals created art, hunted, and made fire. Does that sound like an advanced ape to you?

Certainly it does. You clearly haven't kept up with the last 30 years worth of work with Gorillas. Some of the ones which have been taught deaf signs check out as having IQs in the 90 - 105 range which is adequate for half of all American jobs. It's only the lack of voluntary control of breathing which prevents their speaking English.

Sorry but that's idiotic. A common ancestor would be further removed from us than the neanderthal and all parties agree that the Neanderthal is too far removed to be an ancestor. That's like claiming that dogs are too far genetically removed from wolves to be descended from them and that, therefore, they (dogs) must be descended directly from fish.

Both of my parents are dead. There does not exist any person I could be a direct descendant of. Does that mean I have no ancestors?

No, I did not say that Neanderthals were our ancestors, but that we had a common ancestor. Experts agree that Neaderthals and Homo Sapiens could even inter-breed, as they were so genetically closely matched. We evolved from a common ancestor and we survived, while Neanderthals were either a evolutionary dead end, or they inter-bred with Homo Sapeins until their species was gone.

As for your gorilla example, show me a gorilla species that makes fire and buries it's dead.