It is problematic at best, which is why it is hardly definitive on its own, which is why Neanderthals are not conclusively regarded as a fully distinct species, because they clearly had inferior tools and inferior culture.
It is one of multiple factors that appear to point toward the same general direction, or at least don't contradict it. If instead Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons had very similar or indistinguishable technology and artistry, then that would be a strong signifier of intermixing, and a powerful argument in favor of sub-species, if not closer than that even.
But it is worth noting that in paleo-anthropology tool-making and cultural behaviors are conventionally regarded as the barometers of intelligence. Therefore, if the Neanderthals were clearly inferior to the Cro-Magnon in those regards, then it is extrapolated that were clearly less intelligent.
And finally, it is worth noting that it is a fallacy to craft an analogy between modern post-Industrial society and the pre-urban subsistence world of the Cro-Magnon. Back then, and until relatively very recent times (about 5000 years ago) the degree of technological aptitude or cultural sophistication was all but indistinguishable between humans worldwide.
And finally, it is worth noting that it is a fallacy to craft an analogy between modern post-Industrial society and the pre-urban subsistence world of the Cro-Magnon. Back then, and until relatively very recent times (about 5000 years ago) the degree of technological aptitude or cultural sophistication was all but indistinguishable between humans worldwide.
You are a bit smug about this. First you say intelligence and technolgy matter. In the next breath, you say they don't. Your readiness to throw around words like "fallacy" are a hint. Tool making is driven by necessity, not intelligence. Those who live in the garden of eden where food is plentiful and climate is not harsh can do very well without technology.
The bushman of the Kalahari dessert spend only four hours a day working to survive. The same with Amerindians deep in the Amazon Jungle. Where people compete for scarce resources, they learn each other's technology which more often than not had to do with fighting. The endless wars and competition among people of Eurasia brought them to a more advanced state of development than elsewhere. An old saying, "necessity is the mother of invention." is a good commonsense explanation of technological differences than the academic one that looks for intelligence in genetics. One would have Condolezza Rice washing floors with such a view.