Genetic Interactions Between Modern Humans, Neanderthals, and Denisovans

Geneticists and AI experts have found evidence of multiple waves of genetic intermingling and exchange between modern humans, Neanderthals, and Denisovans over the past 250,000 years, suggesting a more intimate connection than previously believed.

Genetic Exchange Between Ancient Humans and Neanderthals

Ancient Homo sapiens and Neanderthals had genetic exchanges long before Homo sapiens incorporated Neanderthal ancestry, with multiple instances of human-to-Neanderthal gene flow over 200,000 years. The study also suggests that small Neanderthal population sizes contributed to their extinction.