Neanderthals, too clever by half

A computer programme has come to the rescue of the reputation of Neanderthals – otherwise described as dull-witted and rather unpretty, with great big conks. It seems they were too clever by half – see http://popular-archaeology.com/issue-printer/september-2011/ and they were actually victims of their own success. This is the latest attempt to rationalise the inexplicable disappearance of the Neanderthals – and computers don't lie. The fact they disappeared at the same time as a lot of other animal species, between 40 and 30 thousand years ago, is usually passed over – but it might be a clue. See also http://asunews.asu.edu/20111117_humanecology