where did neanderthals come from

Neanderthals originated in Eurasia, arising at least 200,000 years ago during the Pleistocene Epoch. They are believed to have descended from a branch of hominins of African origin who recolonized Western Eurasia around 600,000 years ago, possibly carrying Acheulean technology into Europe. The Neanderthals inhabited a broad region from Western Europe to Central Asia, adapting to cold environments during the last ice age. They lived mainly in Europe but extended their range eastwards to southwestern Asia and the Altai Mountains in Siberia. Genetic data indicates they split from the lineage leading to modern humans (Homo sapiens) during the early Middle Pleistocene and evolved distinct Neanderthal traits mainly in Europe. They lived alongside and interbred with modern humans who migrated into Europe around 45,000 to 50,000 years ago before Neanderthals went extinct roughly 40,000 years ago.