For years, scientists have debated the extent of interbreeding between humans and Neanderthals. New studies published in Science and Nature provide fresh insights into this pivotal chapter in human history.
Recent research analyzed genomes from 275 present-day individuals and 59 prehistoric humans who lived between 2,200 and 45,000 years ago. The results suggest that Neanderthals and humans interbred for approximately 7,000 years, starting around 50,500 years ago.
This new understanding challenges the common notion of a rare encounter between humans and Neanderthals. Instead, it paints a picture of an ongoing relationship, with humans regularly encountering Neanderthals and having children together.
The studies also shed light on when this interbreeding occurred. Genetic analysis reveals that 1 in every 20 ancestors of modern-day people would have been a Neanderthal during this time period. The timing and location of these encounters are still uncertain, but many scientists speculate that they took place in the Middle East.
Another study published in Nature reconstructed the genomes of an ancient human family found in Germany, which dated back to around 45,000 years ago. This discovery provides a unique window into the lives of one of our earliest ancestors and highlights the complexity of human history.
The findings emphasize that our branch of humanity is just one of many on the family tree. The group of humans that left Africa didn’t depart as a monolithic group, with some mingling with Neanderthals repeatedly but dying out, while others arrived in Europe earlier than expected but didn’t make it to the present.
These studies demonstrate the power of ancient DNA analysis and provide new insights into our shared history with Neanderthals. As one researcher noted, “This data is allowing us to time travel and see what’s happening 50,000 years ago in our history.”
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2024/12/12/neanderthals-humans-interbreeding