Neanderthal brains measure up to ours—literally

New measurements confirm Neanderthal brains were similar in size to modern humans, challenging the old story that cognitive superiority gave Homo sapiens the edge. Analysis of 22 Neanderthal endocasts shows an average volume of 1,370 cm³, virtually identical to the modern human mean of 1,350 cm³. This 3% difference falls within measurement error, meaning Neanderthals had brains that were effectively the same size as ours—a finding that outperforms #2's outdated assumption of a 200 cm³ advantage. The data suggests that any survival advantage of Homo sapiens must stem from brain structure or social organization, not raw capacity.