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New studies show humans and Neanderthals interbred over 7,000 years


Published on 2024-12-15 08:22:53 - MSN
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  • On Thursday, the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig reported on studies revealing that modern humans and Neanderthals interbred around 47,000 years ago, with evidence suggesting that this mixing event lasted about 7,

Recent studies have revealed that humans and Neanderthals interbred over a period of approximately 7,000 years, with significant genetic exchange occurring between 47,000 and 40,000 years ago. This interbreeding took place as modern humans migrated out of Africa and into Eurasia, where Neanderthals were already established. The research, which analyzed ancient DNA, indicates that this genetic mixing was not a brief encounter but a prolonged interaction, leading to a notable contribution of Neanderthal DNA in the genomes of present-day non-African populations. This extended period of interbreeding suggests a more complex relationship between the two species than previously thought, potentially influencing human evolution in various ways.

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