New book “Neandertales. La historia de una estirpe perdida” published, featuring significant contributions from IPHES-CERCA

On 25 November 2025, the book Neandertales. La historia de una estirpe perdida will be released, published by Pinolia and coordinated by Dr Ignacio Martín Lerma, Associate Professor of Prehistory at the University of Murcia. The volume, which brings together some of the leading specialists in Neanderthal research, is the book edition of the monographic issue recently published by Muy Interesante, which IPHES-CERCA previously reported on.

A new perspective on the Neanderthals

The book offers an updated and rigorous synthesis of these hominins, from their evolutionary origins to the most recent contributions of genomics. Through chapters written by leading experts, the volume reveals the cognitive sophistication of Neanderthals, their technological capabilities and the earliest artistic expressions attributed to our sister species.

It also invites readers to explore the Iberian Peninsula sites that have transformed our understanding of these human groups: their diverse diet, their relationship with Pleistocene megafauna, their symbolic universe and their coexistence with other hominins. The volume concludes with an extraordinary scientific reconstruction of a Neanderthal woman, offering a humanised and emotional view of a species that still lives on in our DNA.

The contribution of IPHES-CERCA

Several researchers from IPHES-CERCA have contributed specialised chapters that highlight the centre’s expertise in Neanderthal studies:

• Dr Marina Lozano Ruiz, author of “Menú neandertal”, focused on archaeobotanical and zooarchaeological evidence used to reconstruct Neanderthal diet.
• Dr Antonio Rodríguez-Hidalgo, author of “Fauna neandertal”, which provides an in-depth analysis of the relationship between Neanderthals and the animal species they hunted and exploited.
• Dr Lucía López-Polín, co-author with Emma Pomeroy of “Restauración de una mujer neandertal”, centred on the reconstruction and study of an exceptional female skeleton.
• Dr Rosa Huguet, contributor to the chapter “Los neandertales del Valle de Lozoya”, written in collaboration with a prominent research team.
• Dr M. Gema Chacón and Dr Eudald Carbonell, authors of “Los neandertales en Cataluña”, which reviews the archaeological record of Catalonia and its importance for understanding Neanderthal presence in the region.

The volume also includes contributions from leading scholars such as Dr José María Bermúdez de Castro, Dr Carles Lalueza-Fox, Dr Marco de la Rasilla, Dr João Zilhão and Dr Antonio Rosas, making it a comprehensive and authoritative reference work on Neanderthals in the Iberian Peninsula.

An essential read

Neandertales. La historia de una estirpe perdida is designed for both specialists and general readers interested in learning what the latest research truly reveals about Neanderthals. The book will be available from 25 November 2025 at the usual points of sale.

You can make a pre-booking through this link.