Approximately 40,000 years ago, Neanderthals, long-time inhabitants of the western part of the Eurasian continent, met the incoming Homo sapiens from Africa.
The two species shared the region for several millennia, leading to the infusion of Neanderthal DNA into the Homo sapiens genome. This process of interbreeding is known as admixture.
Neanderthal and Homo sapiens interbreeding
Admixture between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens occurred multiple times, and the amount of Neanderthal DNA in modern humans varies depending on population group. Europeans and Asians have the highest levels of Neanderthal DNA, followed by Melanesians and Americans. Africans have the lowest levels of Neanderthal DNA.
The infusion of Neanderthal DNA has had a significant impact on the human genome. Neanderthal DNA has been linked to a variety of traits, including skin color, hair color, immune function, and brain development.
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