Neanderthals and Homo sapiens may co-exist for ‘only’ 2,800 years

It was on the first African continent sane man Back. The encounter with the “cousins” of human ancestors, and Neanderthals, occurred during the arrival in Europe, between 50 and 30 thousand years ago. However, the appearance of one species does not mean the complete disappearance of the others. According to a scientific article published in the American Journal Science Reports, Neanderthals And the sane man They shared the same space for at least 2,800 years.

With recent discoveries made with samples of bones, coal and bits of objects, it has been shown that Homo sapiens species may have migrated to the European continent 54,000 years ago. The “expected” date, however, does not match the date of the disappearance Neanderthals About 14,000 years ago. However, according to the study, little is known about how and when and whether they occupied the same territory.

The main places that the researchers studied were northern Spain and France, the regions where Neanderthals Maybe they lived.

To support the analysis, the researchers collected artifacts attributed to the two types of human ancestors from archaeological sites in France and Spain. Next, they used a form of analysis that is frequent in archaeological studies: the Linear Estimation Model – OLE (Optimal Linear Estimation Models). In doing so, they were able to estimate dates – from oldest to newest – that could “predict” whether humans and Neanderthals They lived together in the same area.

extinction

With analyzes of materials found in France to Belgium, it was noted that this species may be Neanderthals They became extinct from the area between 40,870 and 40457 years ago. This indicates that the two species could have coexisted in Western Europe for 2,800 years.

However, according to experts, it is difficult and even impossible to talk about a “first” or “other” object of some kind or about a particular “cultural tradition” only by analyzing the existing archaeological archives. The form of interaction between these two types of humans – or whether they have preserved either – is still unknown to researchers.