Before revision: About 200,000 years ago Europe and the Middle East were colonized by Neanderthal man , extinct by 39,000 years ago following the appearance of modern humans in the region from 40,000 to 45,000 years ago.
After revision: About 200,000 years ago Europe and the Middle East were colonized by Neanderthals , extinct by 39,000 years ago following the appearance of modern humans in the region from 40,000 to 45,000 years ago.