New Neanderthal Genome Discovery Rewrites Extinction Theories: 54,000-Year-Old Human Tooth in France Reveals Isolated Neanderthal Groups

Govind Tekale

New evidence of interactions between modern humans and neanderthals have been discovered by archaeologists as well as scientists.

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A fossil molar belonging to a modern human child from Grotte Mandarin, a cave site in France's Rhône Valley was led by Dr. Ludovic Slimak of Université de Toulouse Jean Jaurès.

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The social organization of Neanderthals were more different than modern humans

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There have been high levels of inbreeding and low genetic diversity among Neanderthals, which indicates that they lived in small, isolated groups for many generations

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In contrast, early modern human populations showed evidence of greater connectivity and genetic exchange.

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Successive waves of modern humans brought these technologies with them from the Near East to western Europe.

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New studies offer tantalizing insights, Dr. Slimak acknowledged that shifting long-held views on human prehistory will take time.

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The discoveries at Grotte Mandarin and the genomic analysis of Neanderthals provide important pieces in the puzzle of our evolutionary past.

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Understanding of this pivotal period continues to evolve, challenging long-standing assumptions and revealing a more nuanced story of the people of Europe.

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