Also, they had necks.

Kind of interesting article about the FOXP2 gene in Neanderthals.

A DNA analysis shows Neanderthals share with humans two key changes in the FOXP2 gene known to be involved in speech, raising the possibility the species possessed some prerequisites for language, the researchers said.

"From the point of this gene at least the Neanderthals could have had language like we do," said Johannes Krause, a biochemist at the Max Planck Institute in Leipzig, who led the study.

Cool enough. But what's with the illustration accompanying the article? Dude, they were Neanderthals, not mole-men.

I've always had a soft spot for Neanderthals. Something about their giant nasal cavities and football-shaped craniums is somehow endearing. I mean, check out old Mr. La-Chapelle here. Don't you just want to give him a hug?