Question

One interpretation of the genetic evidence is that the split of the neandertal lineage from the modern human lineage

Answer 1

The genetic evidence suggests that Neanderthals, Denisovans, and modern humans interbred, with modern humans showing traces of Neanderthal and Denisovan DNA. Discoveries like Denisova 11 support the theory of assimilation rather than extinction of these ancient species. Genomic analysis also hints at the possibility of 'ghost populations' contributing to the genetic makeup of modern humans.

Step-by-step explanation:

Interbreeding Among Early Human Species

The split of the Neandertal lineage from the modern human lineage is a significant event in human evolution, which is understood through the study of mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA. Genetic evidence indicates that Neanderthals, Denisovans, and modern humans interbred, with modern human populations showing 1 to 4 percent Neanderthal DNA and varying levels of Denisovan DNA depending upon the geographical region. The discovery of Denisova 11, a first-generation hybrid with a Denisovan father and Neanderthal mother, and the presence of Neanderthal genes in modern humans suggest that these species did not go extinct but rather were assimilated into the Homo sapiens population.

Studies have proposed that interbreeding events replaced the Denisovan Y chromosome in Neanderthals and showcased gene flow between early humans and other contemporary Homo species. The existence of a potential 'ghost population' has also been suggested by geneticists, hypothesizing that modern humans may have inherited DNA from an unrecognized archaic hominin. These findings highlight the complex web of interactions between ancient human species and contribute to our understanding of human ancestry and population genetics.

Answer 2

One interpretation of the genetic evidence is that the split of the Neanderthal lineage from the modern human lineage occurred between 440,000 and 270,000 years ago.
It was a long time ago that our ancestors, the Neanderthals, lived on this planet. It was also a long time ago that we started moving away from them and developing in a new manner that would almost completely sever the ties that connected us to them.