By Aahil
October 27, 2022
A genomic examination of 50,000-year-old Siberian cave Neanderthal remains shows that ancient humans traveled in tiny, family-oriented groups.
Fragmented bones and teeth found in a cave in the cold Altai Mountains of Siberia have provided the first look at a Neanderthal family.
The organic remains of Chagyrskaya Cave, a short-term bison hunting site, were radiocarbon-dated to 51,000–59,000 years old.
Pollen and animal remnants indicate that Neanderthals occupied Chagyrskaya during a frigid period.
The genetic makeup of Neanderthals in Chagyrskaya and Okladnikov Cave was examined in a Nature study published Oct. 19
Amazingly, the research produced 13 genomes, which is almost twice as many as there are complete Neanderthal genome sequences
The publication reported the first genetic evidence of Neanderthal familial ties from 11 Neanderthals recovered in Chagyrskaya Cave.
Despite being in the same area, these itinerant Neanderthals did not mix with the Denisovans.
Conclude that the local population size of the Chagyrskaya Neanderthals was limited" due to high genome segment similarity.
While many women left their groups to join new ones, some women stayed with the group they were born into.