Neanderthals and humans interbred 47k years ago for 7k years, research suggests

Recent research indicates that Neanderthals interbred with modern humans approximately 47,000 years ago, a process that lasted nearly 7,000 years. This conclusion is based on DNA analysis from over 300 modern human genomes, which revealed that contemporary humans outside Africa carry about 1% to 2% Neanderthal DNA. The study suggests that this interbreeding likely occurred in western Asia, where early modern humans migrating from Africa encountered Neanderthals. The researchers found that the most significant influx of Neanderthal DNA into the modern human genome happened during this specific period, which has implications for understanding human dispersal patterns.

The study also examined how Neanderthal DNA has persisted in modern humans, linking certain Neanderthal genes to traits such as skin color, metabolism, and immune response, which may have provided evolutionary advantages. It is estimated that at the end of this interbreeding period, more than 5% of the modern human genome was of Neanderthal origin. Interestingly, the research indicates that gene flow was predominantly one-way, with little evidence of modern human DNA entering Neanderthal genomes. This raises questions about the reproductive success of any hybrids that may have existed. Overall, the findings contribute to the understanding of human evolution and the complex interactions between Neanderthals and early modern humans.