Extending far beyond the outdated caricature of shivering cavemen, 'Kindred' rewrites the narrative about the Neanderthals. Rebecca Wragg Sykes, a renowned expert in Palaeolithic archaeology, crafts a vivid depiction of our ancient relatives. Drawing on the latest research, this book paints the Neanderthal not as the underdog of human evolution but as a robust, intelligent species, a testament to humanity's shared history. 'Kindred' meticulously unveils aspects of Neanderthal life, from their adaptive survival strategies across diverse Eurasian landscapes to their intricate culture, all presented in a reader-friendly prose that brings the science to life. As Sykes traces their journey from misunderstood ancestors to complex figures etched into human DNA, one can't help but ponder the essence of what it means to be human.