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Homo sapiens weren’t the only humans to walk the Earth. At least 14 other human species existed, including our closest relatives—the Neanderthals. These ancient humans thrived in Europe and western Asia for hundreds of thousands of years before mysteriously vanishing around 30,000 years ago. Although extinct, traces of them remain in many of us today.
Who Were the Neanderthals?
Neanderthals looked different from us. They were shorter, stockier, and had strong, muscular builds, making them well-suited for cold climates. Their large noses helped warm the air they breathed, and their brains were actually bigger than those of early Homo sapiens. They weren’t just tough—they were smart, too. Neanderthals made tools, used fire, buried their dead, and even created art.
What Happened to the Neanderthals?
Why did they disappear? Scientists are still figuring that out. A mix of factors likely played a role—climate change, food shortages, and competition with Homo sapiens. Unlike Neanderthals, early modern humans had more advanced hunting techniques, built better shelters, and formed stronger social groups, which may have helped them survive. Neanderthals also lived in small, scattered communities, which made them more vulnerable.
Neanderthal DNA in Modern Humans
Even though Neanderthals are gone, they left behind a genetic fingerprint. Research shows that people outside of Africa have up to 4% Neanderthal DNA. This suggests that when modern humans left Africa about 60,000 years ago, they met and interbred with Neanderthals. Some of the genes we inherited from them affect our immune system, skin, hair, and metabolism.
Unlocking the Neanderthal Genome
In a groundbreaking study, scientists sequenced the entire Neanderthal genome. By examining DNA from three Neanderthal women who lived 40,000 years ago, they discovered that Neanderthal DNA is 99.7% identical to modern human DNA and 98.8% identical to chimpanzees. This challenges the idea of evolution as a straight path and shows how human history is more intertwined than we once thought.
A Complicated Family Tree
For years, scientists believed human evolution was a neat, branching tree. But genetics reveal a messier picture. Species that split apart sometimes merged again. Neanderthals left Africa long before Homo sapiens, yet later interbred with them when their paths crossed again. Their genes became part of our evolutionary journey.
The Human Migration and Genetic Bottleneck
When Homo sapiens left Africa, their population was tiny—perhaps only a few hundred people. This “bottleneck” made interbreeding with Neanderthals more significant. As modern humans spread across the world, they carried Neanderthal DNA with them, shaping the genetic diversity we see today.
What’s Next in Human Evolution Research?
There’s still so much to learn. New discoveries continue to reshape our understanding of Neanderthals and their influence on us. By looking into our ancient past, we uncover clues about what it means to be human.
Neanderthals may be gone, but they live on—in our DNA, in our history, and in the ongoing story of humanity.
