Genomic Insights Reveal Timeline of Human-Neanderthal Interbreeding

A new study published in Nature reveals that modern humans began mixing with Neanderthals in Europe between 45,000 and 49,000 years ago, more recently than previously thought. This conclusion is based on DNA analysis of early European inhabitants, including a group from Ranis, Germany, with 2.9% Neanderthal ancestry. The research suggests that all non-African early humans shared a common population during this period, despite the harsh Ice Age climate. The findings provide a clearer timeline for human-Neanderthal interactions and early human migrations out of Africa.