The Genetic Legacy of Our Ancestors: Neanderthals, Denisovans, and Other Humans

The discovery and analysis of ancient DNA has revealed that our Homo sapiens ancestors coexisted with other types of humans, such as Neanderthals, Denisovans, and Homo floresiensis. Genetic studies have shown evidence of interbreeding between these different hominin species, with modern humans inheriting about 2% of their genomes from Neanderthals and 4-6% from Denisovans. The presence of archaic DNA in modern humans has provided insights into human history, adaptation to new environments, and susceptibility to diseases. The work of Svante Pääbo, who was awarded the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his contributions to paleogenomics, has been instrumental in unraveling these mysteries.