Analysis of DNA from a Neanderthal fossil found in a French cave indicates that it belonged to a group that was isolated for more than 50,000 years
Genetic analysis of a Neanderthal fossil found in France reveals that it was from a previously unknown lineage, a remnant of an ancient population that had remained in extreme isolation for more than 50,000 years. This finding sheds new light on the final phase of the species’ existence.of the Centre for Anthropobiology and Genomics of Toulouse uncovered some teeth in the cave’s soil.
By comparing his genome with those of other Neanderthals, Slimak and his colleagues estimated Thorin lived around 105,000 years ago. However, archaeological evidence and analysis of the isotopes in his bones unequivocally showed that Thorin lived no more than 50,000 years ago – making him a “late Neanderthal” from the final phase of the species’ existence.
This isolation could have made the group particularly vulnerable. “Long term isolation or inbreeding can be detrimental to a population’s survival as it can reduce the genetic diversity over time, which in turn can have negative effects on our adaptability to changing environments,” says Vimala.Slimak, Vimala and their colleagues then re-analysed the genome of another Neanderthal that had lived around 43,000 years ago at Les Cottés, France.
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