Classroom Resources  
Student Article

Seven Surprising Facts We Now Know About Neanderthals

By: Dr. Rebecca Wragg Sykes
Originally Published in  HistoryExtra

Archaeologist Dr. Rebecca Wragg Sykes shares how Neanderthals shaped human history and reveals seven discoveries that challenge the old “caveman” stereotype.

The article "Seven Surprising Facts We Now Know About Neanderthals" from BBC's HistoryExtra is a fascinating look at the evolution and legacy of Neanderthals. Archaeologist Rebecca Wragg Sykes explains how these ancient humans were intelligent, adaptable, and left a genetic mark on billions of people today. The piece debunks old myths and highlights seven groundbreaking facts about Neanderthal life and culture.
Student Article Info

BBC's HistoryExtra is devoted to both British and world history and aimed at readers of all levels of knowledge and interest. Learn more about subscriptions here.

Grades:
6-89-12
Subject:
Social Studies
Topic:
History
Keywords
Neanderthalsarchaeologyhuman evolutiongeneticscaveman
Illustration showing the face of a Neanderthal
© Getty

Most passages are available in three different versions: Level 1 (Grade 3-5), Level 2 (Grade 6-8), and Level 3 (Grade 9-12). Some more complex texts are available only in Level 2 and Level 3. Use the versions that are most appropriate for the students in your class.

Note: The BBC Learning Hub Editorial Team made use of AI tools to create multiple versions of this article, each tailored to different student reading levels. Every version undergoes a thorough review by our BBC Learning editors to ensure accuracy, quality, and appropriateness.

2
Level 2 Reading Passage
Grades: 6-8Lexile Level: 900-1100L
Preview
3
Level 3 Reading Passage
Grades: 9-12Lexile Level: 1100L-1300L
Preview
Share:

More Like This

Student Article
The Last Days of the Neanderthals: When and Why Our Ancient Cousins Disappeared
The article "The Last Days of the Neanderthals: When and Why Our Ancient Cousins Disappeared" from BBC's HistoryExtra explores how and why Neanderthals vanished from the Earth. Archaeological evidence and genetic studies point to multiple factors, including climate change, competition with Homo sapiens, and interbreeding. Despite their extinction, Neanderthal DNA still lives on in modern humans.