The disappearance of Neanderthals remains a mystery

 

Neanderthals (Pixabay).

The history of humanity is a complex narrative of adaptation, evolution, and change. One of the most intriguing chapters in this story is the coexistence of Homo sapiens with another ancient human species, the Neanderthals. These close relatives shared the planet for thousands of years before the Neanderthals mysteriously disappeared from the face of the Earth. The extinction of the Neanderthals raises fundamental questions about the interaction between different human species and the reasons behind their eventual disappearance.

Reconstruction of the physical aspect of a Neanderthal man. 
Collections of the Museo Arqueológico de Asturias. (Creative Commons)

Our close relatives

Neanderthals, known scientifically as Homo neanderthalensis, lived in Eurasia during a period spanning approximately 400,000 years ago to 40,000 years ago. They shared a common ancestor with Homo sapiens. For this reason, they are our close relatives in the family tree of human evolution. These ancient hominids adapted to diverse environments, from cold climates in Europe to warmer regions in Southern Europe and Western Asia.

The coexistence of Neanderthals and Homo sapiens raises whether there was interaction between these two human species. Archaeological evidence suggests that they were found at specific times and places. For example, artifacts from both groups have been found at the same archaeological sites in some areas, indicating possible cultural and perhaps even social interaction.

However, the interaction between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens was not limited to cultural exchanges. Genetic studies have revealed that modern Homo sapiens of non-African ancestry have a small percentage of Neanderthal DNA in their genome. This suggests that there was interbreeding between these two species, known as interbreeding events. These interbreeding events were more common in the past than initially believed and had a lasting impact on the genetic diversity of modern humans.

Theories about Neanderthal extinction

The extinction of Neanderthals is an enigma that has long baffled scientists. Several theories have been proposed to explain its disappearance. Here, we will examine some of the most prominent theories. One theory suggests that Homo sapiens and Neanderthals competed for limited resources, such as food and shelter. Consequently, the Neanderthals disappeared. According to this theory, Homo sapiens were more efficient in obtaining resources and gradually displaced Neanderthals.

However, this theory is not conclusive, as there is also evidence that Neanderthals were able to adapt to different environments and had advanced tools and skills. Climate changes during the period when Neanderthals disappeared could have contributed to their extinction. Glaciations and climatic oscillations would have affected the availability of resources and the distribution of fauna and flora. This would have put pressure on Neanderthal populations, who were already living in challenging environments.

Another possibility is that Homo sapiens carried diseases with them that severely affected Neanderthals, who may not have had immunity to these new diseases. This would have decimated Neanderthal populations and contributed to their decline. Social and cultural differences between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals have also been considered as possible factors in Neanderthal extinction. Conflicts could have existed between the groups, and the social and cultural skills of Homo sapiens could have given them an advantage in terms of cooperation and social organization.

The combination of factors

Importantly, it is not necessary for a single theory to completely explain the extinction of the Neanderthals. It is possible that several factors have jointly contributed to its disappearance. For example, competition for resources could have been exacerbated by climate change and disease.