Neanderthals were just as smart as modern humans, say researchers

No offence, but your ancestors probably were no brighter than a Neanderthal.

That's according to a pair of researchers after analysing archaeological evidence detailing the capabilities of Neanderthals, our closest extinct human relative, compared to the early modern humans who first crossed their path about 40,000 years ago.

The researchers said the findings show Neanderthals engaged in complex hunting methods that required a group effort and planning in advance and likely used spoken language and fire.

"We found no data in support of the supposed technological, social and cognitive inferiority of Neanderthals compared to their modern human contemporaries," said Wil Roebroeks, an archaeologist at Leiden University in the Netherlands.

Neanderthals prospered across Europe and Asia from about 350,000 to about 40,000 years ago, but disappeared after early modern humans trekked into Europe from Africa.

Many scientists had postulated that Neanderthals were too stupid, clumsy and incompetent to survive the competition of modern humans.