Neanderthals' social isolation may have sped up their extinction
A study reveals that Thorin, a Neanderthal from France, lived in isolation 40,000 to 45,000 years ago, with limited genetic diversity potentially contributing to their extinction and lack of social structures.
Read original articleA recent study published in Cell Genomics has revealed that a Neanderthal, nicknamed Thorin, lived in an isolated community in the Rhône Valley, France, approximately 40,000 to 45,000 years ago. Genetic analysis of Thorin's remains, which were discovered in 2015, indicates that his lineage diverged from other Neanderthals around 100,000 years ago, suggesting a long period of genetic isolation. This isolation may have contributed to the Neanderthals' extinction, as limited genetic diversity can hinder adaptability to environmental changes and reduce social interactions. The study highlights that there were at least two distinct Neanderthal populations coexisting in Europe, with Thorin's group remaining cut off from others for about 50,000 years. The findings suggest that while early Homo sapiens formed mating networks to avoid inbreeding, Neanderthals did not exhibit similar social structures, potentially impacting their survival. The research underscores the importance of understanding Neanderthal population dynamics and their implications for extinction, which may have been influenced by climate change, competition, and social isolation.
- Thorin, a Neanderthal, lived in an isolated community in France around 40,000 to 45,000 years ago.
- Genetic analysis shows Thorin's lineage diverged from other Neanderthals about 100,000 years ago.
- Isolation may have limited genetic diversity and adaptability, contributing to Neanderthal extinction.
- The study indicates at least two distinct Neanderthal populations coexisted in Europe.
- Neanderthals lacked social structures seen in early Homo sapiens, potentially affecting their survival.
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"When compared to other previously sequenced Neanderthal genomes, Thorin’s genome most closely resembled an individual that was excavated roughly 1,000 miles to the northeast in Gibraltar. Slimak speculates that Thorin’s population likely migrated south to France from Gibraltar."
Shouldn't this be southwest and north, respectively, instead?
Nit: sexualy ignoring each other.
note sure if :ignoring each other: or just unaware.
"We see evidence of early modern humans in Siberia forming so-called mating networks to avoid issues with inbreeding, while living in small communities, which is something we haven’t seen with Neanderthals.”
interesting when you consider that humans interbred with neanderthals.
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