Scientists say Humans and Neanderthals cozied up from time to time when they lived in the same areas tens of thousands of years ago. But we don't know much about who got with whom, or why. Now a new genetic analysis offers some ancient gossip: The pairings were more often female humans with male Neanderthals.

DNA Reveals About the Sex Life of Early Humans | Neanderthal Men Chose Homo Sapiens Women

Around 41,000 years ago, Earth’s magnetic field weakened dramatically during the Laschamps excursion, reducing to just 10 per cent of its usual strength. Normally, the magnetic field shields the planet from cosmic and solar radiation, but its collapse exposed regions such as Europe and northern Africa to high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Early humans faced increased risks, including ocular damage and folate depletion, which could lead to birth defects. Researchers at the University of Michigan suggest that Homo sapiens developed behavioural and technological strategies to survive this period, while Neanderthals, lacking such innovations, may have been more vulnerable.&nbsp;

ochre, a red iron-rich pigment

&nbsp;<h2>Ochre and natural sun protection</h2>One key adaptation was the widespread use of ochre, a red iron-rich pigment. Archaeological evidence shows that early Homo sapiens applied ochre to their skin, which experimental studies indicate can act as a natural sunscreen. Previously used in cave art and body decoration, ochre’s sun-protective properties may have offered a critical survival advantage, shielding humans from harmful UV rays during one of Earth’s most intense solar exposures.&nbsp;Alongside ochre, early humans developed tailored clothing using tools such as needles, scrapers, and awls. Unlike simple coverings, these garments were fitted to the body, providing warmth and indirectly protecting skin from UV radiation. Additionally, the increased use of caves and natural shelters offered further protection from solar exposure. Together, these strategies helped Homo sapiens endure environmental extremes that coincided with the magnetic field’s collapse.<h2>Implications for Neanderthal extinction</h2>The study offers a fresh perspective on why Neanderthals disappeared around 40,000 years ago. Lacking comparable adaptations such as ochre use, tailored clothing, and strategic sheltering, they may have been more exposed to harmful UV radiation. Regions of high cosmic ray exposure during the Laschamps excursion overlap with sites of early modern human activity, suggesting that behavioural and technological innovations contributed to Homo sapiens’ survival advantage.&nbsp;While the findings are correlational, they highlight early humans’ ability to adapt to extreme environmental stressors. The research also provides insight into potential impacts of future magnetic fluctuations, which could disrupt modern technology and pose risks to human health. Prehistoric sunscreens, tailored clothing, and shelters thus illustrate the ingenuity that enabled our ancestors to thrive under a weakened protective shield.&nbsp;

Researchers at the University of Michigan suggest that Homo sapiens developed behavioural and technological strategies to survive this period, while Neanderthals, lacking such innovations, may have been more vulnerable.

Around 41,000 years ago, Earth’s magnetic field weakened dramatically during the Laschamps excursion, reducing to just 10 per cent of its usual strength. Normally, the magnetic field shields the planet from cosmic and solar radiation, but its collapse exposed regions such as Europe and northern Africa to high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Early humans faced increased risks, including ocular damage and folate depletion, which could lead to birth defects. Researchers at the University of Michigan suggest that Homo sapiens developed behavioural and technological strategies to survive this period, while Neanderthals, lacking such innovations, may have been more vulnerable.

Researchers at the University of Michigan suggest that Homo sapiens developed behavioural and technological strategies to survive this period, while Neanderthals, lacking such innovations, may have been more vulnerable.

Prehistoric sunscreens! Did you know humans had a sun protection secret 40,000 years ago?

Researchers have recovered the oldest known DNA from modern humans in Europe, unearthing a mysterious and extinct branch of the human family tree. These early Homo sapiens arrived over 45,000 years ago, intermixed with Neanderthals, and left no surviving descendants. &nbsp;

Ancient bones found in German cave &nbsp;

The groundbreaking discovery stems from 13 bone fragments found in a cave beneath a medieval castle in Ranis, Germany. These remains belonged to six individuals, including a mother, her daughter and distant relatives, forming part of a pioneering population of early humans that ultimately vanished. &nbsp;

Published in the journal Nature on Thursday (Dec 12), the study was conducted by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, in collaboration with the University of Reading and the University of Bristol. &nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/krispy-kreme-confirms-cybersecurity-breach-online-ordering-disrupted-across-us-financial-impact-expected-783482">Krispy Kreme confirms cybersecurity breach, online ordering disrupted across US</a>

Clues from Neanderthal ancestry &nbsp;

The genetic analysis revealed that these ancient humans carried about 2.9 per cent Neanderthal DNA, a level similar to that of modern humans. The mixing likely occurred 1,500 years earlier when Homo sapiens migrated out of Africa and encountered Neanderthals living in Eurasia. &nbsp;

&nbsp;Vanished Chapter of Humanity &nbsp;

This group of early Europeans included individuals who shared ancestry with another ancient human from Zlatý kůň in the Czech Republic, whose DNA was sequenced in a previous study. Together, they formed part of a population that disappeared, leaving no genetic trace in people alive today. &nbsp;

According to researchers, these humans likely had dark skin, dark hair and brown eyes, reflecting their recent African origins. &nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/omega-6-fatty-acids-decreasing-ability-to-fight-against-cancer-cells-warns-study-783456">Omega-6 fatty acid decreasing ability to fight against cancer cells, warns study</a>

An ancient human population, to which the Ranis family group belonged, eventually vanished without leaving any genetic traces in modern humans. Other ancient lineages, including Neanderthals, also went extinct around 40,000 years ago. &nbsp;

Johannes Krause, director of archaeogenetics at the Max Planck Institute, noted that these findings suggest Homo sapiens may not have played a role in the extinction of Neanderthals, challenging long-held assumptions about human history. 
&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Researchers have recovered the oldest known DNA from modern humans in Europe, unearthing a mysterious and extinct branch of the human family tree. These early Homo sapiens arrived over 45,000 years ago, intermixed with Neanderthals, and left no surviving descendants.

Researchers have recovered the oldest known DNA from modern humans in Europe, unearthing a mysterious and extinct branch of the human family tree. These early Homo sapiens arrived over 45,000 years ago, intermixed with Neanderthals, and left no surviving descendants. Ancient bones found in German cave The groundbreaking discovery stems from 13 bone fragments found in a cave beneath a medieval castle in Ranis, Germany. These remains belonged to six individuals, including a mother, her daughter and distant relatives, forming part of a pioneering population of early humans that ultimately vanished. Published in the journal Nature on Thursday (Dec 12), the study was conducted by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, in collaboration with the University of Reading and the University of Bristol. Also read | Krispy Kreme confirms cybersecurity breach, online ordering disrupted across US Clues from Neanderthal ancestry The genetic analysis revealed that these ancient humans carried about 2.9 per cent Neanderthal DNA, a level similar to that of modern humans. The mixing likely occurred 1,500 years earlier when Homo sapiens migrated out of Africa and encountered Neanderthals living in Eurasia. Vanished Chapter of Humanity This group of early Europeans included individuals who shared ancestry with another ancient human from Zlatý kůň in the Czech Republic, whose DNA was sequenced in a previous study. Together, they formed part of a population that disappeared, leaving no genetic trace in people alive today. According to researchers, these humans likely had dark skin, dark hair and brown eyes, reflecting their recent African origins. Also read | Omega-6 fatty acid decreasing ability to fight against cancer cells, warns study An ancient human population, to which the Ranis family group belonged, eventually vanished without leaving any genetic traces in modern humans. Other ancient lineages, including Neanderthals, also went extinct around 40,000 years ago. Johannes Krause, director of archaeogenetics at the Max Planck Institute, noted that these findings suggest Homo sapiens may not have played a role in the extinction of Neanderthals, challenging long-held assumptions about human history. (With inputs from agencies)

Oldest Human DNA reveals a lost branch of early humans in Europe

In a new study, it has been discovered that the human remains discovered at the Orce sites in Spain were nearly 1.3 million years old. The discovery was made when the researchers, headed by Lluis Gibert at the University of Barcelona, re-dated the remains.

In a new study, it has been discovered that the human remains discovered at the Orce sites in Spain were nearly 1.3 million years old. The discovery was made when the researchers, headed by Lluis Gibert at the University of Barcelona, re-dated the remains. The latest discovery supports the theory that early humans reached Europe while passing through the Strait of Gibraltar and did not opt for the Mediterranean route via Asia. “After a century of research, the chronology of the first arrival of hominins in Europe remains controversial. Four Spanish localities potentially record evidence of the oldest Europeans, yet arrival ages remain loosely constrained between 1.6 and 0.9 Ma,” said the researchers. Also Read: These female frogs refuse sex, eat up males if they don’t like their singing “Here we provide a new Early Pleistocene magnetostratigraphy, recording four paleomagnetic boundaries within 80 m of a fluvio-lacustrine sedimentary succession in Orce, southeastern Spain," they added. “This Pleistocene succession incorporates for the first time in Europe five superposed paleontological localities between the Olduvai and Jaramillo magnetozones, including three hominin sites providing evidence of the presence of hominins older than 1.07 Ma in Europe," the researchers explained. How scientists dated unsampled area The palaeomagnetism of a previously unsampled area, which was protected from erosion, was analysed and the new dating details were found. With the new data, the Venta Micena site was placed at 1.32 million years ago (Ma), Barranco León at 1.28 Ma, and Fuente Nueva 3 at 1.23 Ma, which went beyond the age of the Sima del Elefante site in Atapuerca. “The uniqueness of these sites is that they are stratified and within a very long sedimentary sequence, more than eighty meters long,” said Gibert. The researchers also found the magnetic polarity sequence and the Orce sites were placed between 1.77 and 1.07 million years ago. “Having identified a detailed, extended magnetostratigraphy encompassing the fossil sites, we then estimated their age by stratigraphic interpolation,” the researchers explained. Watch: Cambridge researchers use AI for early detection of Alzheimer's disease “A Bayesian age-stratigraphic model was employed and formulated with the prior condition that strata monotonically decrease in age upward," said the researchers. The team analysed the fauna at Orce to finalise the dating and compared it with other Early Pleistocene sites in Europe. The dating also suggested that the early humans entered Europe through the Strait of Gibraltar. “We also defend the hypothesis that they arrived from Gibraltar because no older evidence has been found at any other site along the alternative route,” said Gibert. (With inputs from agencies)

Early humans began existing in Europe around 1.3 million years ago. This Strait showed them the way

Archaeologists excavating the Neolithic settlement of Boncuklu Tarla in southeastern Turkey have unearthed a remarkable collection of stud-shaped objects, reminiscent of contemporary body piercings. This discovery potentially represents the earliest known instances of body piercing, shedding light on the adornment practices of ancient communities.

The site of Boncuklu Tarla has gained recognition for its extensive assortment of personal ornaments, boasting over 100,000 decorative artefacts since excavation began in 2012.

Among these artefacts, the recent discovery stands out as a testament to the early use of body adornments among sedentary communities.

<h2>Unique insights into early ornamentation</h2>

According to archaeologist Ergül Kodaş and colleagues from Mardin Artuklu University in Turkey, who published their findings, the uncovered artefacts provide a unique glimpse into the use&nbsp;of body piercing ornaments by ancient settlers, as reported by Science Alert.&nbsp;Previous archaeological records primarily feature pendants, necklaces, and charms, making this discovery of body piercings particularly significant.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-discover-giant-plague-grave-with-1000-skeletons-in-germany-698902">Also read |&nbsp;Scientists discover giant plague grave with 1,000 skeletons in Germany</a>

Kodaş and his team examined the size, shape, and positioning of the objects within the graves at Boncuklu Tarla. Despite some artefacts being displaced, likely by rodents, others remained in close proximity to the human remains, particularly around the ears and jaws.

The unearthed ornaments, particularly those resembling labrets worn beneath the lower lip, offer compelling evidence of early body piercing practices. While similar pieces dating back to 10,000 BC have been found, this discovery presents the most definitive example to date.

<h2>Cultural significance and spread</h2>

Body piercing appears to have been a significant cultural practice in southwest Asia, with evidence dating back to approximately 6,000 BC. The practice likely spread through Mesopotamia and eventually reached other regions, including Africa and Central and South America.

Also watch |&nbsp;Peru: Archaeologists unearth 30 graves from pre-Inca age that date back between 1000-1440 AD

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While children buried at the site were often interred with pendants and beads instead of piercings, the presence of ornaments beside adult skeletons suggests a cultural association between piercings and maturity. The researchers speculate that piercings may have signified certain roles or social statuses within the community.

(With inputs from agencies)

Archaeologists excavating the Neolithic settlement of Boncuklu Tarla in southeastern Turkey have unearthed a remarkable collection of stud-shaped objects, reminiscent of contemporary body piercings.

Archaeologists excavating the Neolithic settlement of Boncuklu Tarla in southeastern Turkey have unearthed a remarkable collection of stud-shaped objects, reminiscent of contemporary body piercings. This discovery potentially represents the earliest known instances of body piercing, shedding light on the adornment practices of ancient communities. The site of Boncuklu Tarla has gained recognition for its extensive assortment of personal ornaments, boasting over 100,000 decorative artefacts since excavation began in 2012. Among these artefacts, the recent discovery stands out as a testament to the early use of body adornments among sedentary communities. Unique insights into early ornamentation According to archaeologist Ergül Kodaş and colleagues from Mardin Artuklu University in Turkey, who published their findings, the uncovered artefacts provide a unique glimpse into the use of body piercing ornaments by ancient settlers, as reported by Science Alert. Previous archaeological records primarily feature pendants, necklaces, and charms, making this discovery of body piercings particularly significant. Also read | Scientists discover giant plague grave with 1,000 skeletons in Germany Kodaş and his team examined the size, shape, and positioning of the objects within the graves at Boncuklu Tarla. Despite some artefacts being displaced, likely by rodents, others remained in close proximity to the human remains, particularly around the ears and jaws. The unearthed ornaments, particularly those resembling labrets worn beneath the lower lip, offer compelling evidence of early body piercing practices. While similar pieces dating back to 10,000 BC have been found, this discovery presents the most definitive example to date. Cultural significance and spread Body piercing appears to have been a significant cultural practice in southwest Asia, with evidence dating back to approximately 6,000 BC. The practice likely spread through Mesopotamia and eventually reached other regions, including Africa and Central and South America. Also watch | Peru: Archaeologists unearth 30 graves from pre-Inca age that date back between 1000-1440 AD While children buried at the site were often interred with pendants and beads instead of piercings, the presence of ornaments beside adult skeletons suggests a cultural association between piercings and maturity. The researchers speculate that piercings may have signified certain roles or social statuses within the community. (With inputs from agencies)

Archaeologists discover earliest direct evidence of body piercings in Neolithic graves in Turkey

New evidence has surfaced challenging age-old assumptions about early human diets,&nbsp;often referred to as hominins, which had until now suggested that meat from large animals was a significant part of their meals. Hominins were hunters and gatherers, but their diets included more than just hunting large animals for food and turns out beavers were on the food menu as well.

A joint study by researchers from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), the Leibniz Zentrum für Archäologie (LEIZA), and Leiden University, published in Scientific Reports, suggested that around 400,000 years ago, early humans not only hunted but also skillfully processed and consumed beavers.

It is now throwing light on a previously overlooked diversity in the culinary choices of early humans.

<h2>Misconception and new evidence&nbsp;</h2>

The misconception was&nbsp;due to the lack of well-preserved remains from small mammals and plants. And because of this, until now, it&nbsp;was a prevalent belief that early archaic humans primarily subsisted on larger animals.

However, bones from 94 beavers found in a 400,000-year-old hominin site in Bilzingsleben, Germany, exhibited cut marks attributed to stone tools.&nbsp;This unveiled that stone tool could have been used for the intricate processing of beaver carcasses by early humans.

The ability to hunt and consume meat from large animals is often associated with the development of tools, such as spears and later, more sophisticated hunting technologies.

It's important to note that the exact composition of early human diets would have varied depending on factors such as geographic location, climate, and available resources. Over time, as humans developed agriculture, there was a shift towards a more varied diet that included domesticated plants and animals.

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The majority of these remains found as evidence in the study, primarily young adult beavers, pointed to a deliberate strategy of targeting inexperienced yet fully grown, fat-rich animals, challenging prior assumptions about early humans' dietary habits.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/wine-tasting-with-ai-scientists-achieve-spirited-breakthrough-in-artificial-intelligence-domain-665372">Wine tasting with AI? Scientists achieve spirited breakthrough in Artificial Intelligence domain</a>

The cut mark distribution also suggested a focus on beaver skins, highlighting the multifaceted use of these animals by our ancient ancestors.

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/dinosaurs-may-have-influenced-human-aging-know-how-665403">Dinosaurs may have influenced human aging: Know How</a>

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Study authors stressed on the importance of this discovery, with Professor Sabine Gaudzinski-Windheuser noting, “The Bilzingsleben beaver exploitation evidence demonstrates a greater diversity of prey choice by Middle Pleistocene hominins than commonly acknowledged, and a much deeper history of broad-spectrum subsistence than commonly assumed.”

(With inputs from agencies)

New evidence has surfaced challenging age-old assumptions about early human diets, often referred to as hominins, which had until now suggested that meat from large animals was a significant part of their meals.

New evidence has surfaced challenging age-old assumptions about early human diets, often referred to as hominins, which had until now suggested that meat from large animals was a significant part of their meals. Hominins were hunters and gatherers, but their diets included more than just hunting large animals for food and turns out beavers were on the food menu as well. A joint study by researchers from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), the Leibniz Zentrum für Archäologie (LEIZA), and Leiden University, published in Scientific Reports, suggested that around 400,000 years ago, early humans not only hunted but also skillfully processed and consumed beavers. It is now throwing light on a previously overlooked diversity in the culinary choices of early humans. Misconception and new evidence The misconception was due to the lack of well-preserved remains from small mammals and plants. And because of this, until now, it was a prevalent belief that early archaic humans primarily subsisted on larger animals. However, bones from 94 beavers found in a 400,000-year-old hominin site in Bilzingsleben, Germany, exhibited cut marks attributed to stone tools. This unveiled that stone tool could have been used for the intricate processing of beaver carcasses by early humans. The ability to hunt and consume meat from large animals is often associated with the development of tools, such as spears and later, more sophisticated hunting technologies. It's important to note that the exact composition of early human diets would have varied depending on factors such as geographic location, climate, and available resources. Over time, as humans developed agriculture, there was a shift towards a more varied diet that included domesticated plants and animals. Also Read | How (in)effective are Vitamin D supplements in children? Biggest-ever clinical trial finds out The majority of these remains found as evidence in the study, primarily young adult beavers, pointed to a deliberate strategy of targeting inexperienced yet fully grown, fat-rich animals, challenging prior assumptions about early humans' dietary habits. Also Read | Wine tasting with AI? Scientists achieve spirited breakthrough in Artificial Intelligence domain The cut mark distribution also suggested a focus on beaver skins, highlighting the multifaceted use of these animals by our ancient ancestors. Watch | Dinosaurs may have influenced human aging: Know How × Study authors stressed on the importance of this discovery, with Professor Sabine Gaudzinski-Windheuser noting, “The Bilzingsleben beaver exploitation evidence demonstrates a greater diversity of prey choice by Middle Pleistocene hominins than commonly acknowledged, and a much deeper history of broad-spectrum subsistence than commonly assumed.” (With inputs from agencies)

400,000-year-old twist: Beavers were on food menu for early humans, reveals study

Researchers in Israel have discovered a previously unknown type of ancient human who coexisted with our species around 100,000 years ago.

They believe the remains discovered near Ramla are those of one of the "final survivors" of a long-extinct human race.&nbsp;

A team from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem excavated prehistoric remains near the city of Ramla that could not be matched to any known species of the Homo genus, which includes contemporary humans (Homo sapiens).&nbsp;

A partial skull and jaw from a person who lived between 140,000 and 120,000 years ago were discovered.&nbsp;

University of Tel Aviv anthropologists and archaeologists led by Yossi Zaidner called the discovery the "Nesher Ramla Homo type" after the place where the bones were discovered in a paper published in the journal Science.&nbsp;

Dating to between 140,000 and 120,000 years ago, "the morphology of the Nesher Ramla humans shares features with both Neanderthals... and archaic Homo," the researchers said in a statement.

"At the same time, this type of Homo is very unlike modern humans -- displaying a completely different skull structure, no chin, and very large teeth."

Along with the human remains, the dig uncovered large quantities of animal bones as well as stone tools.

"The archaeological finds associated with human fossils show that 'Nesher Ramla Homo' possessed advanced stone-tool production technologies and most likely interacted with the local Homo sapiens," archaeologist Zaidner said.

"We had never imagined that alongside Homo sapiens, archaic Homo roamed the area so late in human history".

The researchers believe that early Nesher Ramla Homo group members were already present in the Near East 400,000 years ago. The new discoveries bear resemblances to ancient "pre-Neanderthal" European populations, according to the researchers.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Researchers in Israel have discovered a previously unknown type of ancient human who coexisted with our species around 100,000 years ago. They believe the remains discovered near Ramla are those of one of the "final survivors" of a long-extinct human race.

Researchers in Israel have discovered a previously unknown type of ancient human who coexisted with our species around 100,000 years ago. They believe the remains discovered near Ramla are those of one of the "final survivors" of a long-extinct human race. A team from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem excavated prehistoric remains near the city of Ramla that could not be matched to any known species of the Homo genus, which includes contemporary humans (Homo sapiens). A partial skull and jaw from a person who lived between 140,000 and 120,000 years ago were discovered. University of Tel Aviv anthropologists and archaeologists led by Yossi Zaidner called the discovery the "Nesher Ramla Homo type" after the place where the bones were discovered in a paper published in the journal Science. Dating to between 140,000 and 120,000 years ago, "the morphology of the Nesher Ramla humans shares features with both Neanderthals... and archaic Homo," the researchers said in a statement. "At the same time, this type of Homo is very unlike modern humans -- displaying a completely different skull structure, no chin, and very large teeth." Along with the human remains, the dig uncovered large quantities of animal bones as well as stone tools. "The archaeological finds associated with human fossils show that 'Nesher Ramla Homo' possessed advanced stone-tool production technologies and most likely interacted with the local Homo sapiens," archaeologist Zaidner said. "We had never imagined that alongside Homo sapiens, archaic Homo roamed the area so late in human history". The researchers believe that early Nesher Ramla Homo group members were already present in the Near East 400,000 years ago. The new discoveries bear resemblances to ancient "pre-Neanderthal" European populations, according to the researchers. (With inputs from agencies)

Nesher Ramla Homo: New form of ancient human unearthed in Israel

Scientists said on Thursday (June 24) they had discovered a previously unknown kind of early human after studying pieces of fossilised bone dug up in a site used by a cement plant in central Israel.

Meet Nesher Ramla Homo, a new type of early human discovered in Israel

New revelations shed light on when Neanderthals really disappeared from Europe. And it turns out, the earlier beings perished way earlier than previously believed.

New fossils, discovered in a cave in Belgium reveal that the Neanderthals’ last survivors perished in Europe thousands of years before the earlier estimate.

The new study, which appeared in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, undertaken by a collaborative team from Belgium, Britain, and Germany sheds light on when our closes relative disappeared from the planet.

Earlier readings of remains from “Spy Cave” put neanderthals’ existence at roughly 24,000 years ago, but the new findings push the date to between 44,200-40,600 years.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/neanderthals-41000-year-old-skeleton-all-set-to-resolve-this-long-standing-mystery-354774" hreflang="en">Neanderthal's 41,000-year-old skeleton all set to resolve this long-standing mystery</a>

According to co-lead author of the study, Thibaut Deviese from the University of Oxford and Aix-Marseille University, the team came up with a more dependable method to assess findings, limiting the chance of errors and reducing contaminants.

The scientists used radiocarbon dating methods to ascertain when the creatures roamed our planet, and it can help researchers understand why the species went extinct, while humans were able to persevere.

How does carbon dating work? 
All living creatures on the planet absorb carbon from the atmosphere and their food sources. But when living being die, they stop absorbing carbon - which helps scientists decide when they perished.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/all-modern-humans-possess-neanderthal-dna-study-278329" hreflang="en">All modern humans possess Neanderthal DNA: Study</a>

In terms of bones, scientists usually choose collagen to trace the date. Neanderthal specimens from two other Belgian sites were also analysed to assert a concrete timeline. Scientists believe that the previous remains were infected with bovine DNA, which caused miscalculation.

New revelations shed light on when Neanderthals really disappeared from Europe. And it turns out, the earlier beings perished way earlier than previously believed.

New revelations shed light on when Neanderthals really disappeared from Europe. And it turns out, the earlier beings perished way earlier than previously believed. New fossils, discovered in a cave in Belgium reveal that the Neanderthals’ last survivors perished in Europe thousands of years before the earlier estimate. The new study, which appeared in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, undertaken by a collaborative team from Belgium, Britain, and Germany sheds light on when our closes relative disappeared from the planet. Earlier readings of remains from “Spy Cave” put neanderthals’ existence at roughly 24,000 years ago, but the new findings push the date to between 44,200-40,600 years. Also read: Neanderthal's 41,000-year-old skeleton all set to resolve this long-standing mystery According to co-lead author of the study, Thibaut Deviese from the University of Oxford and Aix-Marseille University, the team came up with a more dependable method to assess findings, limiting the chance of errors and reducing contaminants. The scientists used radiocarbon dating methods to ascertain when the creatures roamed our planet, and it can help researchers understand why the species went extinct, while humans were able to persevere. How does carbon dating work? All living creatures on the planet absorb carbon from the atmosphere and their food sources. But when living being die, they stop absorbing carbon - which helps scientists decide when they perished. Also read: All modern humans possess Neanderthal DNA: Study In terms of bones, scientists usually choose collagen to trace the date. Neanderthal specimens from two other Belgian sites were also analysed to assert a concrete timeline. Scientists believe that the previous remains were infected with bovine DNA, which caused miscalculation.

New findings rewrite time frame for Neanderthals' disappearance from Europe

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