Neanderthals are a species or subspecies of archaic humans that lived in Eurasia, primarily during the Late Pleistocene, around 400,000 to 40,000 years ago. They are closely related to modern humans, sharing a common ancestor, and are known for their robust build, larger brow ridges, and shorter stature compared to contemporary Homo sapiens. Neanderthals were skilled toolmakers, using flint tools for hunting and gathering, and evidence suggests they engaged in complex behaviors, including the use of fire, burial of their dead, and possibly symbolic expression. Genetic studies have shown that non-African modern humans carry a small percentage of Neanderthal DNA, indicating some level of interbreeding between the two groups. The reasons for their eventual extinction remain a subject of research, with theories suggesting factors such as climate change, competition with modern humans, and limited resources.
New Insights into Neanderthal-Human Interbreeding Recent breakthroughs in genetics have unveiled the intricate timeline of interbreeding between modern humans and Neanderthals, beginning roughly 50,500 years ago and persisting for an…