Final answer:
Neanderthal fossils are found in Europe and the Middle East and date from about 400,000 to 40,000 years ago, with significant sites in the Neander Valley, Shanidar Cave, and the Sima de los Huesos.
Step-by-step explanation:
Geographic Areas and Time Periods of Neanderthal Fossils: Neanderthal fossils have been exclusively found in Europe and the Middle East, with many sites located in southern France and northern Spain, as exemplified by the famous Lascaux caves. They have been dated to a period ranging from about 400,000 to 40,000 years ago. The first discovery in the Neander Valley of Germany led to their naming as Neanderthals. Other significant Neanderthal sites include Shanidar Cave in Iraq and the Sima de los Huesos in Spain. Neanderthals were relatives of modern humans, with evidence suggesting interbreeding that occurred as modern humans migrated out of Africa. The interactions between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens were not limited to conflict but included genetic exchange, making Neanderthals as closely related to people across Europe and Asia as they are to those in regions far from their fossil sites, such as Papua New Guinea.