You ever look in the mirror and think, “Why do I have this weird bump on my skull?” Or maybe your eyebrows are so thick they deserve their own zip code. Well, turns out you might not be just human. Scientists say a chunk of us—like, up to 2% of our DNA—comes straight from Neanderthals. Yup, your ancient cave-dwelling great-great-great-grandcousin might be the reason your body does some… peculiar things.
We’re not saying you’re ready to ditch Wi-Fi for a spear and fire pit, but there are some wild body features still floating around today that scream “Ice Age throwback.” And if you’ve got a few of them? You might just be part Neanderthal. Let’s get into the signs that your genetics have a little more prehistoric oomph than you thought.
1. That Brow Ridge Could Stop Traffic
Ever caught your reflection and thought, “Wow, my brow game is strong”? If your forehead sports a prominent ridge, you might be channeling your inner Neanderthal. These ancient relatives were known for their pronounced brow ridges, a feature that provided structural support for their heavy-duty chewing and possibly even played a role in social signaling. According to the Natural History Museum, Neanderthals had strong, muscular bodies and wide skulls with prominent brow ridges.
In modern humans, a noticeable brow ridge isn’t just a random quirk—it could be a genetic echo from our Neanderthal ancestors. While not everyone with a pronounced brow ridge has Neanderthal DNA, it’s a feature more commonly associated with them. So, next time someone compliments your strong features, just nod and say, “Thanks, it’s in my genes.”
2. Your Nose Is Built for the Cold
If your nose is on the larger side, especially with a broad bridge, you might have inherited a Neanderthal trait. Neanderthals had large nasal cavities, which helped them warm and humidify the cold, dry air of Ice Age Europe. A study highlighted by Archaeology Wiki found that certain gene variants influencing nose shape were inherited from Neanderthals.
This adaptation was crucial for survival in harsh climates. In modern times, while we might not need such features for survival, the genetic legacy remains. So, if you’ve ever been teased about your “big nose,” just remember—it’s a mark of resilience and adaptation.
3. Occipital Bun: The Original Man Bun
Ever noticed a slight bump at the back of your skull? This feature, known as an occipital bun, was prominent in Neanderthals. It’s believed to have accommodated their larger brains and possibly enhanced visual processing. According to Science Direct, the occipital bun is a prominent bulge of the occipital bone at the back of the skull, important in scientific descriptions of classic Neanderthal crania.
While not exclusive to Neanderthals, the presence of an occipital bun in modern humans can be a nod to our ancient relatives. So, if your headgear doesn’t sit quite right or you feel a bump when you lean back, you might just be sporting the original man bun.
4. Shovel-Shaped Incisors: Tools of the Trade
Take a peek at your front teeth. Are the backs scooped or curved inward? These are called shovel-shaped incisors, a trait common in Neanderthals. This dental feature provided strength and durability, essential for their diet and possibly even for using their teeth as tools. As noted in Newsweek, shovel-shaped incisors are significantly common in certain populations and were also observed in Neanderthals.
In modern humans, this trait is more prevalent in certain populations, but its presence can hint at Neanderthal ancestry. So, if your dentist ever comments on your unique tooth shape, you can proudly attribute it to your ancient lineage.
5. Stocky Build with Short Limbs
If you’re built more like a powerlifter than a marathon runner, with a stocky frame and shorter limbs, you might be echoing Neanderthal proportions. Neanderthals had robust bodies adapted for strength and endurance in cold climates. According to Time, they possessed relatively short lower limb extremities compared with their upper arms and legs, and a broad chest.
This body type was advantageous for conserving heat and surviving in harsh environments. In today’s world, while the survival pressures have changed, the genetic blueprint remains. So, if you’ve ever been told you’re “built like a tank,” take it as a compliment to your enduring Neanderthal heritage.
6. Curved Fingers Like Tree Branches
If your fingers curve slightly inward and look like they were molded around a club or a spear, congrats—you’ve got some Neanderthal flare. Neanderthals were famously tool-savvy, and their hand bones were stocky and curved to support all that heavy-duty gripping. This wasn’t because they were clutching iPhones, but because they were crafting weapons, dragging game, and maybe lowkey arm-wrestling sabertooth tigers.
Modern humans with this trait often have hands that look like they were made for hard work—even if the hardest thing they’ve lifted is a Starbucks venti. You might also notice a broader palm and shorter fingers, which make your hands excellent for lifting, climbing, or hauling four grocery bags in one trip. If you’ve ever been told your handshake is intense or your grip game is strong, blame it on your ancient roots.
It’s not just a random quirk—it’s an evolutionary throwback. So don’t be surprised if you find yourself oddly good at rock climbing or assembling IKEA furniture with caveman-level intensity. Just maybe skip the club-wielding part unless it’s a gym thing.
7. Wide Pelvis, Ancient Power Base
A broad, wide pelvis isn’t just a body-type feature—it’s a Neanderthal signature move. Their wider hips supported serious leg muscle, helped with bipedal balance, and gave them an edge in trudging through snowy terrain like prehistoric snowplows. If you’ve got a wider pelvis and thick thighs that don’t quit, you’re rocking a trait that once meant survival and strength.
In modern times, this can translate to great lower body power, like crushing squats or just being naturally sturdy in a windstorm. You might notice your center of gravity is low-key fantastic—like you could skateboard without trying (or at least not fall off instantly). And yes, jeans might never fit quite right, but evolution wasn’t tailoring for Levi’s. That strong lower half is a literal evolutionary flex.
8. Thick Eyebrows That Won’t Quit
If your brows are less “fleek” and more “feral,” you might be channeling your inner Neanderthal with every glance. Neanderthals were the original bushy-browed babes, with thick, expressive eyebrows that framed their deep-set eyes like nature’s own eyeliner. This trait might seem minor, but brows are powerful for nonverbal communication and emotional expression.
If your eyebrows refuse to be tamed no matter how many waxes, plucks, or threading sessions you go through, you might be fighting against 40,000 years of inherited face drama. Thick brows were useful for conveying everything from curiosity to “don’t come near my fire pit.”
In today’s world, they still serve you—adding intensity, character, and mood without saying a word. Plus, bushy brows are trendy now, so you’re basically ahead of your time by about 60,000 years.
9. Super Strong Grip Strength
You know how some people just casually rip open a jar like it’s no big deal while others are banging it on the counter, asking for help? If you’re in the first group, your Neanderthal DNA might be showing. These prehistoric folks were seriously jacked in the forearm department.
Their grip wasn’t just a fun party trick—it was essential for everything from skinning animals to hauling firewood and fending off threats. Today, that kind of grip might just make you a beast in the weight room or someone no one wants to arm wrestle. If you’ve ever had someone say, “Whoa, your handshake is intense,” just smile and grunt approvingly. That’s your ancient heritage grabbing hold.
10. Barrel Chest Like a Warrior Statue
If your chest is wide and rounded, almost like a wine barrel (but way hotter), welcome to another classic Neanderthal trait. Their ribcages weren’t shaped like modern human ones—they flared out more and gave their bodies a powerful, boxy silhouette. This was helpful for breathing in cold, dry climates and fueling all that physical activity.
Today, a barrel chest might just make you look especially swole or like you’ve got linebacker energy even if you’ve never touched a football. If you’ve got a deeper voice, better lung capacity, or that naturally “puffed out” look even when you’re just standing still, that’s your Neanderthal genetics flexing from the past. You’re built for endurance and power, not for skinny jeans.
11. That Could Smolder a Woolly Mammoth
Got eyes that seem like they sit just a little farther back under your brow? That’s another Neanderthal specialty. Their skulls were built a bit differently, which gave them a deeper eye placement and a mysterious, shadowed look. Basically, they were walking mood lighting.
In modern humans, deep-set eyes can give a natural intensity to your stare and lend a little drama to every photo you’re in (you know, the kind that doesn’t even need a filter). People may tell you that you look serious or contemplative—but they don’t know it’s because your ancestors were literally staring down Ice Age predators. This trait doesn’t just serve a vibe; it might also help with visual focus and depth perception. Not that you’re out spearing mammoths, but parallel parking counts for something.
12. Insane Tolerance for Pain
Ever walk something off that would’ve sent someone else to the ER? Have you been accused of being “weirdly okay” after injuries or extreme conditions? Neanderthals lived hard lives, and their bodies needed to be built for serious resilience. That includes pain tolerance that would make most modern folks cry uncle.
If you’ve ever pushed through a sprained ankle, ignored the flu while doing laundry, or finished a workout on a pulled muscle without blinking, you might be tapping into some prehistoric grit. That’s not just stubbornness—that’s built-in toughness courtesy of ancient survival mode. Modern life doesn’t demand quite as much of us, but that toughness shows up in how you handle stress, discomfort, or even just bad traffic.
13. You Run Hot (Like, Temperature-Wise)
If you’re the person always cracking windows, fanning yourself in 68-degree rooms, or sleeping without covers—even in winter—you might have Neanderthal blood running hot. Literally. These folks evolved in colder climates, so their bodies were great at retaining heat.
Today, that translates into people whose inner furnaces are always on high. While others are layering up, you’re wondering why the thermostat is set to “lava.” Your partner might lovingly refer to you as a human space heater. This was a survival skill once, but now it’s just mildly annoying at dinner parties. On the bright side, you’re built to survive a blizzard in a t-shirt.