Study indicates that Neanderthals lived in small groups

Genetic analysis of bones and teeth found in caves in Siberia helps decipher the social and family structure of Neanderthals. Science knows so little about how the species came together, as remains of bones and teeth found in two Siberian caves help scientists decipher the social structure of Neanderthals. By sequencing the DNA of these modern human relatives, researchers analyzed the social life of a community of species that lived about 54,000 years ago. For the study published Wednesday (10/19), scientists analyzed the DNA of 13 Neanderthals, eight adults, five children and teens, and found an interconnected network of relationships, including father and daughter, potentially an aunt, grandmother and nephew. The analysis also showed that all Neanderthals were kin, indicating that the societies were made up of small groups of close relatives numbering between 10 and 20 individuals. The study also concluded that it was women who migrated to other societies, and men tended to stay where they were born. Scientists believe that at least 60% of women belong to other societies to join their partners’ families. Caves were the base of the group that roamed the surrounding areas in search of raw materials and food. In addition to specimens, many stone and bone tools were found in the Shagerskaya Caves. The researchers say that hunting horses, bison and other animals in the region’s river valleys provided the community with meat and hides. One of the largest genetic studies of Neanderthals The analysis also found no evidence of interbreeding between Neanderthals and Denisovans, the remains of which were found 100 kilometers from the caves from which the studied samples came. Published in Nature, it is one of the largest genetic studies ever conducted on Neanderthals. The research was conducted by scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, including this year’s Nobel Prize in Medicine laureate, Svante Pääbo. Previous studies revealed that Neanderthals were more complex than previously thought, adopting practices such as burying the dead and making elaborate tools and ornaments. However, not much is known about their family and social structure. The population geneticist said, “Our findings make Neanderthals more closely related, and in some ways more human. They lived and died in small family groups, probably in a harsh environment. However, they managed to survive for hundreds of thousands of years,” said a population geneticist. Benjamin Peter, study co-author. Who are Neanderthals Neanderthals are a subspecies of ancient humans that separated from modern humans between 315,000 and 800,000 years ago. Experts believe that its population ranged from 3,000 to 12,000 individuals that reproduced before becoming extinct 40,000 years ago. The small population made the species vulnerable to decline due to disease, low fertility rates, and competition with other animals. The cause of their extinction is obscure, but theories include climate change, disease, and the arrival of modern humans. Compared to modern humans, Neanderthals had a stronger body and shorter limbs. Experts believe that they were very durable and could maintain body heat well for surviving in colder climates. Previous research revealed that Neanderthals cared for patients with pain relievers and penicillin made from plants and fungi. The fossils of the species found showed that between 79% and 94% of them had some traumatic injury. One study indicated that 74% of the samples analyzed showed injuries caused by animal attacks. The first Neanderthal genome was sequenced a little over a decade ago by Pääbo and other Max Planck scientists. This work earned Papo the current Nobel Prize. The study published on Wednesday is a continuation of that first sequence. cn/ek (DW, Reuters, DPA, AFP)

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