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New research refines the timeline of interbreeding between modern humans and Neanderthals, showing it began about 50,500 years ago and lasted roughly 7,000 years. This gene flow left non-African populations with 1-2% Neanderthal ancestry, contributing beneficial traits like immune resilience and skin pigmentation.
The study also identified Neanderthal deserts—regions in human genomes devoid of Neanderthal genes—likely caused by lethal gene variants. These findings deepen our understanding of human adaptation, migration, and the genetic legacy from Neanderthals and other ancient hominins.
Key Facts
Timeline: Neanderthals and modern humans interbred for about 7,000 years, starting 50,500 years ago.
Genetic Impact: Neanderthal genes boosted immunity, skin pigmentation, and adaptation to harsh climates.
Genome Deserts: Areas lacking Neanderthal genes formed rapidly, suggesting lethal gene incompatibilities.
A new analysis of DNA from ancient modern humans (Homo sapiens) in Europe and Asia has determined, more precisely than ever, the time period during which Neanderthals interbred with modern humans, starting about 50,500 years ago and lasting about 7,000 years — until Neanderthals began to disappear.
That interbreeding left Eurasians with many genes inherited from our Neanderthal ancestors, which in total make up between 1% and 2% of our genomes today.
The genome-based estimate is consistent with archeological evidence that modern humans and Neanderthals lived side-by-side in Eurasia for between 6,000 and 7,000 years.
