ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science → Anthropology

Neanderthal Lineage Called Into Question

CanonbyCanon
August 18, 2012
in Anthropology, Science
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

RelatedPosts

Neanderthals and humans interbred in the Middle East over 50,000 years ago
“Zoom in. Now… enhance.” Well, Google just turned this old TV trick into reality
Simple device shows where your patient’s veins are
The Three Main Types of Volcanoes
Neanderthal Reconstruction

Was there an interaction between Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis – better known as Neanderthals?

It is a long-standing question that has had scientists baffled for years.  Only months ago scientists reported that there was a definitive genetic connection between modern humans and Neanderthals of the past.  However, there are now studies showing that perhaps the interbreeding of these two species of humans is not necessarily the reason some people of European and Asian descent have 1-4% DNA in common with our ancient humans.  The reason, the new studies claim, actually stems from a shared common ancestor, not interbreeding – also called hybridisation.  There have even been studies previously that indicated any hybridisation of H. sapiens and H. neanderthalensis would have resulted in less than a 2% chance of producing offspring.

The University of Cambridge scientists say that this common ancestor lived roughly half a million years ago across Africa and Europe.  The two continental ranges of this descendant slowly separated 350-300,000 years ago with the European humans evolving into Homo neanderthalensis and the African humans becoming Homo sapiens.  When the H. sapiens of Africa made their way into Europe 60-70,000 years ago, living alongside H. neanderthalensis, the two species already shared common genetics.  There was no need for hybridisation to account for the shared DNA.  Previous studies have the split of the African and European ranges, but then have modern humans interbreeding with H. neanderthalensis on their arrival into Europe.  Andrea Manica, lead researcher from Cambridge, stated, “Our work shows clearly that the patterns currently seen in the Neanderthal genome are not exceptional, and are in line with our expectations of what we would see without hybridisation.  So, if any hybridisation happened – it’s difficult to conclusively prove it never happened – then it would have been minimal and much less than what people are claiming now.”

 

This new study was funded by the BBSRC and Leverhulme Trust, performed by scientists at the University of Cambridge, and published August 13th in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

ShareTweetShare
Canon

Canon

Canon Buckingham is a graduate from the University of North Texas with a BA in History and another in Film. He currently works as a loan processor for a mortgage company. Although not working in the science field, the wonderful universe we live in has alwasy been, and remains, a driving force to continue his education outside of the classrom.

Related Posts

Health

Your gut has a secret weapon against ‘forever chemicals’: microbes

byMihai Andrei
4 hours ago
News

High IQ People Are Strikingly Better at Forecasting the Future

byTibi Puiu
4 hours ago
Health

Newborns Feel Pain Long Before They Can Understand It

byTudor Tarita
5 hours ago
News

Cheese Before Bed Might Actually Be Giving You Nightmares

byTudor Tarita
6 hours ago

Recent news

Your gut has a secret weapon against ‘forever chemicals’: microbes

July 3, 2025

High IQ People Are Strikingly Better at Forecasting the Future

July 3, 2025

Newborns Feel Pain Long Before They Can Understand It

July 3, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.