Final answer:
La Ferrassie 1 is the nearly complete skeleton that is a classic example of a Neanderthal with many defining characteristics, such as a large brain and robust anatomy suited for hunting.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nearly complete skeleton described as a classic example of a Neanderthal with many defining Neanderthal characteristics is none other than La Ferrassie 1. Neanderthals were known for their distinctive anatomical features such as a large skull and brain, an occipital bun at the back of the skull, large brow ridges, a broad nasal cavity, and robust postcranial bones indicating well-developed muscles for activities like hunting and using spears. The Taung Child represents Australopithecus africanus and does not fit the description, Piltdown Man was a hoax, and KNM-ER 1805 is a specimen of Homo habilis.
Understanding the evolution and characteristics of Neanderthals is essential for studying human ancestry and prehistoric life. They were adaptable, had a capacity for tool use and possibly language, and there is even evidence that they interbred with modern humans, as suggested by DNA studies. Their physical robustness, along with evidence of trauma in their skeletons, indicates an active lifestyle that likely involved hunting and other rigorous activities.