Evolution is always a lurching process, as it depends on mutations. So sudden changes would not be shocking. But the demarcation between animal consciousness and human consciousness is in the eye of the researcher.

You are taking the position that the Neanderthals lacked human consciousness. I doubt you would find much support for that position among modern anthropologists.

As for placing any advance within a margin of plus or minus 5000 years, surely you jest. We can date specific artifacts with that kind of precision, but evolutionary advances? Pure conjecture.