Final answer:
The extinction of Neanderthals could be due to multiple factors including violent competition and superior adaptation strategies of Homo sapiens. Interbreeding also suggests some Neanderthal genetic material was assimilated into modern humans rather than being completely extinguished.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question explores whether the extinction of Neanderthals was a result of systematic extermination by modern Homo sapiens. While one theory suggests that the disappearance of Neanderthals was due to violent competition and warfare with modern humans, other hypotheses focus on different factors. These factors include competition for resources, better survival strategies by modern humans, and the Neanderthals' inability to adapt to environmental changes and lower gene diversity.
Furthermore, archaeological evidence implies that prehistoric humans had a significant impact on their environment, contributing to mass extinction events of various species. This supports the broader concept that Homo sapiens were responsible for notable changes in biodiversity throughout history. Additionally, the interbreeding of Neanderthals and modern humans points to the possibility that Neanderthals were not entirely wiped out but were absorbed into the Homo sapiens gene pool.
Overall, while there is evidence for both violent and non-violent factors in the extinction of Neanderthals, the consensus is that multiple causes were likely involved, with no single theory accounting for all the evidence. Thus, the debate on the exact reasons behind the Neanderthals' extinction is ongoing, and further research may uncover more insights into this historical mystery.