Final answer:
The extinction of Neanderthals likely involved climate change, competition with Homo sapiens, limited genetic diversity, and possibly assimilation with modern humans. Superior technology and social structures of Homo sapiens might have given them an edge in survival. No sole cause accounts for the Neanderthals' disappearance, making this an ongoing area of research.
Step-by-step explanation:
The extinction of Neanderthals is a complex topic that involves multiple hypotheses. Extinction may have resulted from a combination of factors such as climate change, competition for resources, and interactions with Homo sapiens. It is theorized that cold temperatures put survival pressure on Neanderthals, who had less genetic diversity and smaller, scattered populations that could not adapt as quickly as H. sapiens. Meanwhile, H. sapiens may have gained the upper hand through more advanced technology, superior language skills, and social structures that helped in survival and reproduction, leading to more sustainable communities. Additionally, the sharing of genetics between Neanderthals and modern humans suggests that rather than a complete extinction, there was some level of assimilation into the larger H. sapiens populations.
While some scientists have proposed that modern humans replaced Neanderthals through violent competition, others believe it was less about violence and more about resource-based competition. With superior tool-making abilities and higher birthrates, H. sapiens could have gradually outcompeted Neanderthals for essential resources. This nuanced understanding of the extinction event highlights how evolution and environmental adaptations played key roles in the survival of modern humans over Neanderthals.