All  

Store Banner Desktop

Store Banner Mobile

AI representation of a Neanderthal couple wearing fur. Source: Ricky/Adobe Stock

Is Interbreeding Why Neanderthals and Denisovans Vanished? (Video)

Print
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A groundbreaking scientific discovery sheds light on the disappearance of Neanderthals and Denisovans, ancient human populations that once roamed Eurasia. Through an examination of their blood types, researchers uncovered surprising genetic similarities between these archaic humans and modern Homo sapiens. Contrary to previous beliefs, Neanderthals and Denisovans displayed a full range of blood type variability, akin to modern humans.

This revelation challenges the notion of their inferiority and suggests complex interactions with Homo sapiens. The study, utilizing high-quality genomic data from Neanderthal and Denisovan remains, provides crucial insights into human evolution and migration patterns. It suggests interbreeding events between different human lineages, possibly occurring in the Middle East. Moreover, genetic links between Denisovan blood types and those of Aboriginal Australians hint at ancient mating between these populations.

Furthermore, the discovery of a shared rare blood type among distant Neanderthal individuals raises questions about their genetic diversity and susceptibility to diseases. This finding suggests that disease susceptibility, compounded by interbreeding challenges, may have contributed to the ultimate demise of Neanderthals and Denisovans.

Top image: AI representation of a Neanderthal couple wearing fur. Source: Ricky/Adobe Stock

By Robbie Mitchell

 
Robbie Mitchell's picture

Robbie

I’m a graduate of History and Literature from The University of Manchester in England and a total history geek. Since a young age, I’ve been obsessed with history. The weirder the better. I spend my days working as a freelance... Read More

Next article