In other words, Neanderthals were humans.
“In other words, Neanderthals were humans.”
Zebras breed with donkies, but a zebra is not a donkey, nor a donkey a zebra. Cross-breeds are not always sterile.
Neanderthals were considerably stronger than Homo Sapien Sapiens and, despite Hollywood, there is nothing to indicate they were any less intelligent.
IMHO, their downfall was their women were almost as tough as the men — and participated in hunting — resulting in less children.
Homo Sapiens Sapiens specialized in having babies by keeping women to safer professsions.