An international team of archaeologists from Germany, Denmark and Iran have discovered the site where the ancestors of modern humans first began to mate with Neanderthals, Homo sapiens’ closest relatives. The research has been published in the scientific journal magazine Scientific Reports (SciRep).
The team used ecological niche modelling and geographic information systems to identify locations where Neanderthals and modern humans coexisted in southeastern Europe and southwest Asia.
After examining the geographic distribution of Neanderthals and Homo sapiens during this period, the researchers concluded that they did indeed interbreed, and narrowed down the list of possible locations to a single region: the Zagros Mountains on the Iranian Plateau. In modern times, this mountain range stretches from Iran to the northern parts of Iraq and southeastern Turkey.
Scientists have noted that many modern human and Neanderthal skeletons have been found in this area. The Shanidar cave, where excavations are also taking place, is also located here. spilled Shedding light on Neanderthal burial customs.
Archaeologists have suggested that humans and Neanderthals may have met in the Persian Highlands during the migration of Homo sapiens from Africa.
Previous researchers refuted The generally accepted theory of Neanderthal extinction.
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Source: Gazeta
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