A mother carries her young child, teaching them to recognize edible plants beneath the snow. Nearby, elders help prepare hides for clothing, their experience crucial for survival in the bitter climate. As night approaches, the group returns, warming themselves around the fire, sharing food, stories, and comfort in the safety of their community. Their world was harsh—but it was also rich with knowledge, cooperation, and resilience.
Although Neanderthals are often depicted as static and unchanging, archaeological evidence shows that they were adaptable and innovative. Over hundreds of thousands of years, they survived dramatic climate shifts—from warm interglacial periods to freezing Ice Age conditions. Neanderthals mastered fire, not only for cooking but for warmth, protection, and tool production. In colder regions, they built windbreaks or used natural shelters to manage heat more efficiently. Burned bones and hearth remnants reveal that they maintained long-term fire sites, demonstrating planning and group cooperation.
