Neanderthals

Humans and Neanderthals were genetically closer than brown and polar bears

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Neanderthals, Denisovans and Homo sapiens were so closely related that they were able to interbreed and have offspring that were fertile and healthy, a study suggests.  Analysis from the University of Oxford reveals the species were more genetically similar than brown bears and polar bears are today.  This significant overlap provided genetic compatibility and allowed … Read more

Modern humans ‘co-existed with Neanderthals in Europe for 8,000 years’

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Archaeologists working in a Bulgarian cave have unearthed the earliest direct evidence of modern humans ever found in Europe.  The landmark finding reveals that human migration reached Europe around 45,000 years ago, proving the first ever Europeans overlapped with Neanderthals for much longer than previously thought.  ‘Now we see there is a period of about … Read more

Average European carries more than 500 genetic fragments from Neanderthals and other archaic humans

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The average European carries more than 500 genetic ‘fragments’ from Neanderthals and other archaic human species, a study has found. Among this heritage is included genes that are linked to prostate cancer risk, iron retention, blood clotting speed and smaller heights. The ancestors of Europeans are known to have mated with Neanderthals and other archaic … Read more

Ancient yarn made by Neanderthals challenges theory they were far less intelligent than early humans

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Ancient yarn made by Neanderthals more than 40,000 years ago challenges the theory that our prehistoric cousins were far less intelligent than early Homo Sapiens The six-millimetre long piece of ancient yarn was unearthed in southern France It was wrapped around a stone tool and may have come from a handle or bag Creating bundles … Read more

Neanderthals ate seafood including crabs, clams, oysters and dolphins

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Neanderthals fed regularly on mussels, fish and other omega-3-rich marine life including seals, which likely impacted their cognitive abilities, a new study claims. Archaeological digs along the Portuguese coast reveal the evidence that our cavemen ancestors had as much fondness for seafood as modern humans today. Both Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens tucked into ‘surf … Read more

‘Super-archaic’ human mated with the primitive ancestor of both Denisovans and Neanderthals

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‘Super-archaic’ human mated with the primitive ancestor of both Denisovans and Neanderthals 700,000 years ago Researchers used special software to compare the DNA of ancient human fossils They also found that Denisovans and Neanderthals split 600,000 years ago This is a much older estimate of the species’ divergence than proposed before By Ian Randall For Mailonline … Read more