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It could be said that Neanderthals are at once the best and least known
of fossil hominids. The literature regularly and systematically modifies
descriptions of Neanderthals as “Classic”, prescribing the European specimens
for comparative and definitive discussion while implying non-Classic, non-
European Neanderthals somehow atypical. Yet, some of the best preserved and
most significant of specimens are from the Near East. Often placed in apparent
juxtaposition to Classical Neanderthals, these “Levantine” Neanderthals include
Shanidar 1, Amud 1, Kebara 2, Tabun 1, and the Dederiyeh infants. In this
essay, I hope to describe these specimens, after summarizing the relevant
background regarding definitions and interpretations of Neanderthals, and to
Figure 1: Composite Reconstruction
then briefly explore the nature and degree of the difference, should there be (Sawyer & Maley 2005, 25)