I don't think that is what they are saying at all. For all we know, the reason North African, Middle Eastern, European and Asian populations advanced, developed cities, farming, writing, and so on, while sub-Saharan people did not is because of the Neanderthal genes. Just because the popular view of Neanderthals is that they were stupid doesn't mean it's true.
Totally agree, what happened to the Neanderthals? We are the Neanderthals! Modern humans and Neanderthals interbred to create us. Which ever group discovered fermentation first should be given credit.