Neanderthals lived long with us – VG

In some areas existed modern humans and Neanderthals side by side for thousands of years before the latter died out.

Something happened in Europe, once between 50,000 and 30,000 years ago.

In this period came the modern man wandering into the continent. And Neanderthals – the human species that had ruled the area for over 150,000 years – thanks for it, and disappeared into the mists of history home.

But just when did this shift? And how? Was it over with quickly or lived both species in the same areas long?

The scientists are discussing the chips spurts. And this week, the last argument in the debate published in the scientific journal Nature .

A large group of scientists have in fact gone over bones and tools from 40 different excavation sites all over Europe again, with improved dating methods.

Knife marks on Neanderthal bones from El sidron. Photo: Thomas Higham

Together for 5000 years

Now concludes Tom Higham of the University of Oxford and his colleagues that Neanderthals were a thing of the past already for between 41,000 and 39,000 years ago.

But they were not wiped out in no time. Before Neanderthals disappeared, had scattered groups of them lived among the clans of modern humans for thousands of years. In some areas the species have existed side by side for over 5,000 years, scientists believe.

This equates to over 250 generations – that is plenty of time for the exchange of both technologies, ideas and especially genes.

This could cast a new ray of light on the old question of Neanderthal mental capacity. But the results also challenge current assumptions about Neanderthal last stand, Archaeologist William Davies writes in a commentary in Nature .

No newer tracks on the Iberian Peninsula

Higham and colleagues conclude therefore that there are no traces of Neanderthals by about 40,000 years ago. Nor on the Iberian Peninsula.

This range results bones during a widespread perception that our cousins ​​endured just there for a thousand years after they had succumbed to the rest of Europe.

Presumably the earlier datings of the bones from this area have been imprecise, and screened for low age, the researchers wrote in Nature .

At the same time, the results may give us new clues about Neanderthal mental life .

Tom Higham and Katerina Douka in one of the caves where Neanderthal discoveries. Photo: Thomas Higham

Long time inspiration

When cultures of modern humans began to emerge in Europe about 45,000 years ago, came more sophisticated tools and jewelery and colors. This indicates that the newcomers had the ability symbolic behavior, which is the basis of language, art and even religion.

But what about the Neanderthals?

Findings suggest that they also began to create symbolic objects before they disappeared. But scientists do not agree on why.

Some argue that the extinct past human symbolism developed entirely on his own. But others believe that it was the modern man who inspired the development of the Neanderthals.

Now, says Higham and co that it certainly was plenty of time to transfer ideas from modern humans to Neanderthals.

Reference:

T. Higham, The timing and spatiotemporal patterning of Neanderthal disappearance, Nature, vol 512, August 21, 2014, p. 306-309.

W. Davies, The time of the last Neanderthals, Nature, vol 512, August 21, 2014, p. 260-261.