Over time, their scattered groups became even more isolated, reducing genetic diversity and resilience. Rather than a dramatic, sudden disappearance, Neanderthal extinction appears to have been a slow merging of populations. They likely dwindled due to a combination of factors—changing climates, competition with growing Homo sapiens populations, and limited mobility or cultural exchange networks. Although direct evidence of Neanderthal social structure is limited, scientists can infer a great deal from patterns in bones, tool sites, and genetic findings.
Neanderthal communities were likely small—often 10 to 30 individuals—similar to early modern human hunter-gatherer groups. One of the most striking discoveries is that Neanderthals cared for injured or elderly group members. Some fossils show individuals who lived many years despite severe injuries—broken limbs, loss of vision, or crippling arthritis. These conditions would have made independent survival impossible, suggesting that Neanderthals offered long-term support and compassion within their communities.
