Scientists prove humans lived alongside Neanderthals 45,000 years ago
World
According to new research, archaeologists have come to the conclusion that modern humans may have populated Northern Europe earlier than expected. Presumably, this happened about 45,000 years ago.
The scientists' discoveries are based on findings discovered during excavations of the oldest monument of human culture of the Stone Age near the town of Ranis in Germany. There, finely worked leaf-shaped stone tool blades were discovered. Genomic evidence also confirms that Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis lived side by side and interbred from time to time.
The stone tools were thought to have been created by the Lincombian–Ranisian–Jerzmanowician (LRJ) culture, which left artefacts in Moravia, Poland, Germany and Britain. However, until recently it remained unknown whether the blades were made by Neanderthals or Homo sapiens.
The new research involved genetic analysis of hominid bone fragments from deeper archaeological layers in Ranis. Subsequent mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis confirmed that the bone fragments belonged to Homo sapiens. In addition, DNA sequences indicated that several fragments found at different times belonged to the same individual or maternal relatives. These sequences also resembled mtDNA from a 43,000-year-old female skull found in the Zlata Kun Cave in the Czech Republic.
This discovery indicates that even the earliest groups of Homo sapiens that dispersed across Eurasia had the ability to adapt to harsh climatic conditions. This contradicts assumptions that resistance to cold climatic conditions did not manifest itself until several thousand years later.
The stone tools were thought to have been created by the Lincombian–Ranisian–Jerzmanowician (LRJ) culture, which left artefacts in Moravia, Poland, Germany and Britain. However, until recently it remained unknown whether the blades were made by Neanderthals or Homo sapiens.
The new research involved genetic analysis of hominid bone fragments from deeper archaeological layers in Ranis. Subsequent mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis confirmed that the bone fragments belonged to Homo sapiens. In addition, DNA sequences indicated that several fragments found at different times belonged to the same individual or maternal relatives. These sequences also resembled mtDNA from a 43,000-year-old female skull found in the Zlata Kun Cave in the Czech Republic.
This discovery indicates that even the earliest groups of Homo sapiens that dispersed across Eurasia had the ability to adapt to harsh climatic conditions. This contradicts assumptions that resistance to cold climatic conditions did not manifest itself until several thousand years later.
Powered by Froala Editor