João Zilião

Dr. João Zilião is an archaeologist at the University of Lisbon, known for his research on Neanderthals, particularly their cognitive abilities and cultural expressions. He has challenged traditional perceptions that depict Neanderthals as primitive, arguing instead that they demonstrated symbolic thinking and artistic practices thousands of years before early Homo sapiens. Zilião's work includes significant findings on Neanderthal cave art and jewelry, highlighting the complex social and cultural lives of these ancient humans.