Is Neanderthal Patrick Based On A Real Historical Figure?

Neanderthal Patrick is a hilarious non-historical gag, but it’s worth noting how the SpongeBob team uses anachronisms to amp up the humor. The character’s design—animal-skin loincloth, club, and that signature vacant stare—is straight out of a cartoon caveman playbook, but with Patrick’s iconic pink hue. It’s a visual punchline, not a nod to paleontology. The writers clearly prioritized jokes over accuracy, like having him 'discover' fire by accidentally dropping a frozen Krabby Patty into a volcano.

What makes this work is the contrast: Patrick’s usual modern-day laziness transplanted into a 'primitive' setting. It’s funny because we know the real Patrick would fail at basic survival even with 21st-century conveniences. The bit also slyly pokes fun at how pop culture flattens ancient history into clichés—Neanderthal Patrick couldn’t be further from the complex, culturally rich reality of actual Neanderthals.

So no, he’s not based on a real figure, but he *is* based on SpongeBob’s genius for turning idiocy into art. And honestly, that’s better.

Neanderthal Patrick is 100% a product of SpongeBob’s gloriously unhinged creativity, but let’s nerd out about why this joke works so well. The character leans into the meme-worthy idea of Patrick being so simple, he’d fit right in with ancient hominids. It’s a satire of how pop culture often depicts Neanderthals as oafish—think 'Geico Caveman' vibes—but with that signature Bikini Bottom twist. The show’s writers aren’t trying to educate; they’re weaponizing absurdity to make us snort-laugh at Patrick trying to invent the wheel using a Krabby Patty.

That said, the bit might feel vaguely 'real' because Patrick’s personality aligns with outdated (and inaccurate) stereotypes about Neanderthals being less intelligent than Homo sapiens. Modern science has debunked that myth, but cartoons love running with it for comedy. Fun fact: The real Neanderthals had tools, art, and even buried their dead—none of which Neanderthal Patrick would likely grasp unless it involved jellyfishing.

Ultimately, the character’s charm lies in how he embodies SpongeBob’s timeless formula: take something familiar (history, science, etc.), dunk it in cartoon logic, and serve it with a side of kelp fries. No historical basis required—just pure, chaotic joy.

I can confidently say Neanderthal Patrick from 'The Patrick Star Show' is purely a fictional creation. The show's writers love throwing in absurd, anachronistic humor, and Neanderthal Patrick is a perfect example—a caveman version of Patrick Star with zero ties to real history. The SpongeBob universe thrives on surrealism, so it’s no surprise they’d mash up prehistoric aesthetics with a beloved dim-witted starfish. If you’re looking for historical accuracy, this ain’t it, but if you want a laugh at Patrick’s stone-age antics, it’s gold.

That said, the character does playfully riff on pop-culture caveman stereotypes, like the dumb-but-lovable trope seen in things like 'The Flintstones' or 'Encino Man.' It’s a throwback gag, not a documentary.