“Where did Neanderthals originate?
Did they originate somewhere else or are they just a different offshoot of hominids?”
The way to think of it is, over the past millions of years, dozens of hominid species evolved in Africa, each a little smarter, a little more human - like than before.
Some of these species then migrated out of Africa, and when they met earlier species, they adapted, interbred and eventually replaced the earlier models.
Apparently, Homo-Neanderthal did not themselves leave Africa, but rather adapted/evolved in Europe from earlier species, now tentatively identified as “homo-anticesor”.
Neanderthals were in turn replaced by the latest emigrants, homo sapiens, beginning around 45,000 years ago.
Interesting details. Thank you!