Final answer:
Neanderthals, also known as Neanderthals, lived in Europe and the Middle East from about 400,000 to 40,000 years ago. They were robust and culturally sophisticated, coexisting with early modern humans and interbreeding before the divergence of different human populations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Neandertals, also known as Neanderthals, resided in geographic regions that include parts of Europe and the Middle East. Evidence of their existence dates back to between approximately 400,000 and 40,000 years ago. The initial fossils of Neanderthals were discovered in the Neander Valley in Germany, giving them their name. They were a distinct species or subspecies of humans and coexisted with early Homo sapiens in certain regions. Notably, locations like the cave of Lascaux in France show evidence of Neanderthal occupation, alongside early modern humans, dating back 30,000 years ago.
Neanderthals developed from Homo erectus and adapted to their environments with robust physiques, which were well-suited for the cold climates and big-game hunting of their time. Their cultural practices included the use of fire, the making of sophisticated tools, and possibly body decorations with paint. Recent genetic research reveals that modern humans have segments of DNA similar to Neanderthal sequences, suggesting interbreeding occurred as early humans migrated out of Africa and before the divergence of different contemporary human populations.