Ancient DNA Of The Last Northwestern Neanderthals Shoots Down A Leading Theory ... - IFLScience
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Ancient DNA from the last northwestern Neanderthals has upended a leading theory about how and why they vanished — and the real story is thornier.
Competitive ExclusionPopulation GeneticsExtinction TheoryInterbreeding Hypothesis
Theory Briefing
- DNA from the final northwestern Neanderthal populations directly contradicts what was previously the leading explanation for their disappearance.
- The genetic evidence suggests Neanderthal decline was more complex than a single clean narrative — multiple competing theories remain in play.
- Northwestern Europe's last Neanderthals left a DNA record distinct enough to challenge assumptions built on earlier fossil and archaeological finds.