http://www.newsweek.com/neanderthal-thorax-shows-our-ancient-human-relatives-walked-upright-and-1193487 > Representative image of a Neanderthal skull. iStock Share Tech & ScienceScientists have reconstructed the ribcage and spine of a Neanderthal man that died around 60,000 years ago, leading them to make an unexpected discovery. Neanderthals do not appear to breathe in the same way as modern humans and their spines are far straighter than our own, indicating they had a upright posture. > The thorax is the area of the body where the rib cage and spine forms a cavity for the heart and lungs. Understanding the size and shape of the Neanderthal thorax is hugely important as it provides information on their balance and lung capacity, which in turn will give us a better idea of their physical capabilities.