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Abstract

Modern humans colonized the whole planet and replaced all other hominids, such as Neanderthals. This evolvement raises interesting evolutionary questions concerning both species. The paleoanthropological research presented in this video looks at a moment in time when both co-existed. In order to find out about the differences between them, JEAN-JACQUES HUBLIN looks at both species’ use of technology, behavior, and social organization using molecular screening techniques and archeological research. While it has often been argued that the replacement of Neanderthals by the modern human occurred due to the modern human’s strong evolutionary superiority, this research counters that precisely because they once co-existed, Neanderthals must be more complex than previously assumed.