Final answer:
Neanderthals likely had a lower surface area to volume ratio than modern humans living at the equator due to their stocky build, which is an adaptation for colder climates. The larger Neanderthal brain size, on average, does not equate to greater intelligence, as different brain areas were developed compared to modern humans.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Neanderthal would likely have a lower surface area to volume ratio compared to a modern human living at the equator. Neanderthals had a stocky build, which is an adaptation that minimizes surface area relative to volume, thereby reducing heat loss in cold climates. In contrast, modern humans, particularly those from equatorial regions, have slimmer builds with longer limbs, which increase surface area relative to volume to help dissipate heat in warmer climates.
Neanderthals had larger brains than modern humans, around 1,520 cc on average compared to 1,200-1,400 cc for modern humans. However, a larger brain does not necessarily indicate greater intelligence, as brain organization can be different. Neanderthals had more developed areas of the brain related to sensory processing, potentially as an adaptation to their environment, whereas the frontal region linked to speech and language was less developed compared to modern humans.
It is also important to note that Neanderthals interbred with modern humans, exchanging genetic material. Modern European and Middle Eastern populations contain between 1 and 4 percent Neanderthal DNA. Their disappearance around 40,000 years ago is attributed to a variety of factors including competition for resources, difference in survival strategies, and possibly lower birth rates compared to modern humans.