Neanderthals

Prehistoric humans who lived in Europe, the Middle East, and western Asia from about 200,000 to 28,000 years ago. Scientifically, they are usually classified as a separate species, Homo neanderthalensis. Although closely related to modern humans (Homo sapiens), Neandertals were physically distinct. Short and stocky in build, they had large, protruding faces, prominent brows, and low, sloping foreheads, and undeveloped chin. Their brains, however, were fully as big as those of modern humans. The typical lifespan of Neandertals was much shorter than that of people today, with few individuals living beyond 40 years. They were named after the Neanderthal valley in Germany, where such skeleton was found in 1856.

Christopher Columbus (1451-1506)

Italian-born Spanish navigator who sailed west across the Atlantic Ocean in search of a route to Asia but achieved fame by making landfall in the Americas instead. He was born in Genoa (Italy), he is a navigator and discoverer ( or rediscoverer) of the New World. After much difficulty, he obtained the patronage of Ferdinand V and Isabella of Spain for his project of sailing west to reach the Orient. He left Palos (Aug. 3,1492) with 3 ships, the 'Pinta', the 'Nina' and the 'Santa Maria', and reached the Bahamas (Oct. 12, 1492). He sailed to Cuba and Haiti before returning (1493) to Spain. A second voyage (1493-6) took him to the Lesser Antiles, Puerto Rico and Jamaica, and a third (1498- 1500) to Trinidad and the coast of Venezuela. On his fourth voyage (1502-4), he explored the coast of Central America. 

Louvre Museum

The national museum and art gallery of France, in Paris. It was a former royal palace, the present building being begun by Francois I in 1546, successively enlarged, and converted to its current use after the French Revolution.