I wasn't talking about indivduals. Homo Erectus didn't launch a civilisation. Nor did Homo habilis, Homo cepranensis, Homo antecessor, Homo heidelbergensis, Homo rhodesiensis, Homo neanderthalensis etc. That is relevant data.

H. neanderthalensis had complicated tools and weapons, including spears and axes and there's evidence of tools used to stitch garments together. There's some (controversial) evidence that neanderthals made musical instruments, and the presence of remains indicating severe wounds that have since healed suggests that they cared for th... (read more)