Jack the Bodiless

IIRC, the number of broken bones in Neandertal remains indicate that they frequently got very close to some rather large critters.

So I suspect that a hurled flint spear would just bruise a mammoth. Getting in close lets you stab repeatedly, or attempt to drive your spear further into a wound, or probe for a weak spot, or brace your spear butt against the ground if the animal lurches in your direction.

Cro-Magnon probably did more gathering rather than hunting, and shot at smaller prey when hunting.

Janaya

Could there be something about Neanderthals' anatomy that would make it very difficult to throw a spear and very easy to thrust one? Perhaps relating to their joints?

Jack the Bodiless

Well, they had shorter and more muscular arms. Which would have that effect.