Left: La Ferrassie neandertal, right: Cro Magnon modern human
Left: La Ferrassie neandertal, right: Cro Magnon modern human
I always think along the lines of the direction of female pelvic bone development when I see different skulls. Walking upright, yet capability to deliver a baby with a big head creates a need for a balance between brain growth & the female pelvis. A shorter gestation period delivers a smaller headed baby, but increases infant mortality & may create a greater need for greater parental care, for a longer amount of time. Less "intelligent" survival strategies, such as ability to run or climb decreases some of the need for lengthy parental care. Gorillas have about a 9 months gestation, orangutans & chimpanzees approx 8-9 & baboons around 6.
From the article, the bone assemblage is carnivore-accumulated
Makes me wonder about ratios. I'd have to think Neandertal & Cro Magnon were equally tasty. Similar skill sets would show equal susceptibility to becoming lunch. Course, availability would also skew the ratio.