But neanderthals didn’t have bigger bodies. They were actually slightly shorter, although stockier
They had larger brains, and at least based on the skull shape, appeared to have more visual processing and perhaps more motor cortex function. Unfortunately, they probably had less prefrontal lobe, which I think is why they basically went extinct. Those clever, cunning, and more complex strategizing homo sapiens couldn’t have these rustic brutes competing for their game and made it a point to root them out.
Well I wouldn’t assume that, they had a larger brain and
Fact is non Africans have between 1-4% neanderthal DNA (https://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/genetics/ancient-dna-and-neanderthals#:~:text=Neanderthals%20are%20known%20to%20contribute,et%20al.%2C%202015).) and as a race those of black African decent average lower on IQ test than other race.
It could be conjectured that the Neanderthal DNA of other races may actually have increased their intelligence
That replacement theory went into the dust the dustbin of history when the DNA of Neanderthals was sequenced-Asians and Caucasians-and people who are a mix of the 3 races, which most of us are-have Neanderthal DNA-between 1 and 4%-only Black Africans do not have any, unless they are mixed with one of the other 2 races-so Neanderthals and modern humans bred a lot outside of Africa-probably on trading trips, etc-so they are us-it would appear that there hasn’t been anything like a “pure race” on this planet for a very, very long time-and it is a good thing, I think...