Did Neanderthal man die out because he was too smart for his own good?

We like to think our superior brainpower led to their demise.

But it seems the real reason the Neanderthals died out may be because they were too clever for their own good.

Researchers say that rather than being outwitted by the superior intellect of modern man, our caveman cousins were every bit as sophisticated.

Their brains and charms led to them being sought as mates by our ancestors, who, due to simple numbers, soon began to rule the roost.

Arizona State University academics came up with the theory after running data about life in Europe and Asia during the last Ice Age through a computer program.

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