A new study suggests that Neanderthal brains were not as different from ours as we once thought. When compared to the full range of modern human brain variation, the estimated differences in brain structure between Neanderthals and early modern humans are no larger than what we see among people living today. This challenges the long-held assumption that Neanderthals were cognitively inferior.
The Research
Led by cognitive scientist and anthropologist Thomas Schoenemann at Indiana University Bloomington, the study re-examined data from a 2018 analysis that compared four Neanderthal endocasts with four early modern human ones. That earlier work concluded that Neanderthals had smaller cerebellums, which some interpreted as a sign of reduced cognitive abilities. But Schoenemann and his team noticed a critical missing comparison: they had never compared those differences to the variation seen among living humans.
To fix this, they used MRI scans from 400 people—200 Americans of European descent and 200 ethnic Han Chinese participants from the Human Connectome Project. They measured 13 brain regions in both groups and compared the differences between these two modern populations with the previously reported differences between Neanderthals and early modern humans. In nine of the 13 regions, the differences between the two modern groups were actually larger than the estimated Neanderthal–modern human differences.
“Putting estimated Neanderthal differences into the context of modern human variation does not support the view that they were cognitively challenged,” Schoenemann said. The findings were published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Why It Matters
For anyone curious about intelligence and brain anatomy, this study is a reminder that brain size or shape alone does not determine cognitive ability. Modern human brains vary greatly in size and structure—yet we don't treat that variation as evidence of different intellectual worth. If Neanderthal differences fall within that same range, we cannot simply assume they were less capable.
This doesn't mean Neanderthal brains were identical to ours, but it shifts the conversation: instead of assuming superiority, we can explore what those differences might have meant in terms of behavior and adaptation. It also highlights the fact that cognitive ability is complex and cannot be reduced to a single measure.
What You Can Do
When you think about your own brain, remember that its unique structure is one of many factors contributing to your intelligence. Rather than focusing on size or shape, engage in activities that challenge your attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Cognitive training, learning new skills, and staying curious are all evidence-based ways to support brain health and performance.
Source: ZME Science
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