A new research suggests that Homo sapiens and Neanderthals may have interacted and even interbred. NPR’s Elissa Nadworny discussed this discovery with Elena Zavala, a postdoctorate researcher at the University of California, Berkeley. The research, based on findings from an excavation under a medieval castle in Germany, suggests that Homo sapiens and Neanderthals coexisted rather than the former coming after the latter.
The evidence, including skeletal remains and stone tools, indicated that Homo sapiens were present in northern Germany much earlier than previously thought. Radiocarbon dating placed the remains at around 47,000 years old, challenging the previous understanding of the speed at which Homo sapiens migrated to Europe.
The discovery also challenges the belief that Homo sapiens migrated north due to warmer temperatures. The presence of Homo sapiens in a very cold climate at the time suggests their ability to adapt to such conditions.
The research also sheds light on the interbreeding between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. While it is known that Neanderthal DNA is present in modern human genomes, the frequency of these interbreeding events and the period during which they occurred remain areas of active research and debate.
Elena Zavala, one of the scientists involved in the discovery, expressed excitement at these findings, highlighting that many questions remain unanswered. The research was recently published, and it continues to fuel further investigations and discussions in the scientific community.
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