Final answer:
The claim that Neandertals were first recognized in 1456 is false; they were first recognized when their fossils were discovered in the Neander Valley in the mid-19th century.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Neandertals were first recognized in 1456 is false. Neandertals, also known as Homo neanderthalensis, were a distinct group of early humans who lived in Europe and western Asia from about 200,000 to 40,000 years ago. The first recognized fossil remains of Neandertals were discovered in the mid-19th century, specifically in the Neander Valley near Düsseldorf, Germany, which is how they got their name. These early humans were well adapted to their environment and had larger brain volumes than modern humans. They were capable of using tools, controlling fire, hunting big game, and even exhibiting early forms of art and burial rituals. The interactions between Neandertals and modern humans (Homo sapiens sapiens) did include interbreeding, as evidenced by DNA analysis, which shows that non-African modern human populations have some Neandertal ancestry.