Climat changes were very important, populations varied greatly, and many regions became uninabited and inhabited again many times over. There are minor "ice ag

Climat changes were very important, populations varied greatly, and many regions became uninabited and inhabited again many times over. There are minor "ice ages" on 40 000 and 100 000 year long cycles. Every time these happen (especially when they combine) - animals and plants change, and hunter-gatherers have to migrate or starve (most starve anyway). It's almost like game reset. So neanderthals advantage wasn't that big.