Final answer:
The last Neanderthals were found in regions of Europe and the Middle East, and most recently at sites like Shanidar Cave in Iraq and Sima de los Huesos in Spain. They lived about 40,000 years ago and practiced intentional burials.
Step-by-step explanation:
The last Neanderthals were found in regions of Europe and the Middle East. The most recent Neanderthal remains have been discovered at sites like the Shanidar Cave in Iraq, Sima de los Huesos in Spain, and in the region of southern France and northern Spain. These historical beings, deemed extinct around 40,000 years ago, lived alongside early Homo sapiens and were known for practices such as intentional burials, which is evident from various archaeological sites. The Neanderthals, a subspecies of the genus Homo, evolved from Homo erectus and had a range that spanned across Europe and Asia.
It's important to note that while Neanderthals are often associated with Europe due to the Neander Valley in Germany, where the first fossils were found and which gave them their name, they were not limited to this area alone. As indicated on distribution maps, their presence covered a vast territory in antiquity. The latest discoveries have added new dimensions to our understanding of Neanderthal behavior, including potential indications of their social structures and survival strategies in a challenging climate.