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Neanderthals, among extinct hominid species, are arguably the most intriguing and extensively researched. Their unique traits have always sparked our fascination and curiosity. Over the last decade, groundbreaking discoveries have dramatically altered our understanding of these ancient relatives. Previously, scientists believed Neanderthals and modern humans did not interbreed. However, thanks to the relentless efforts of dedicated researchers, we now know that these two species not only coexisted but also interbred, resulting in hybrid offspring that were both stronger and more intelligent.
10. They Contracted Herpes
Genital herpes, a sexually transmitted infection caused by herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, affects an estimated one in six individuals aged 14 to 49 in the United States. Contrary to common misconceptions, this STD is not a modern affliction but an ancient one that has troubled humanity for millennia. Recent studies indicate that Neanderthals may have also suffered from this disease, which could have played a role in their eventual extinction.
Simon Underdown from Oxford Brookes University and Charlotte Houldcroft from the University of Cambridge, after studying pathogen genomes and ancient DNA, concluded that Neanderthals were afflicted with genital herpes. They proposed that modern humans were the ones who transmitted this devastating disease to Neanderthals.
Approximately 100,000 years ago, humans and Neanderthals began interacting and interbreeding. This interbreeding has left all modern humans with 2 to 5 percent Neanderthal DNA. In addition to genital herpes, researchers believe modern humans also passed on tapeworms and stomach ulcers to Neanderthals.
9. Their Large Eyes May Have Contributed to Their Extinction
Neanderthals possessed larger eyes compared to modern humans. This observation led Eiluned Pearce from the University of Oxford to hypothesize that their sizable eyes might have played a role in their extinction. Pearce theorizes that the extensive brain area dedicated to vision and motor control in Neanderthals left less capacity for other critical functions, such as social interaction and networking.
When confronted with significant challenges like climate shifts and competition from early humans, Neanderthals were at a considerable disadvantage. It is speculated that if they had been capable of forming intricate social networks, they might have endured the crises that ultimately led to their disappearance.
However, Pearce’s theory is not universally accepted and has faced opposition. John Hawks from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, along with his team, studied 18 living primate species and found that “larger eyes are associated with bigger social groups.” Hawks argues that eye size does not influence social network formation. Instead, he suggests that Neanderthals had larger eyes simply because they were bigger than our ancestors, and their eyes were proportionate to their body size.
8. They Enhanced Our Immune System
In January 2016, researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and the Pasteur Institute released two separate studies revealing that interbreeding with Neanderthals enhanced the immune systems of modern humans. As early humans migrated from Africa to Europe, they not only encountered Neanderthals but also interbred with them. This union produced hybrid offspring with genetic variations that were more effective at combating infections compared to their predecessors.
Studies have also indicated that modern humans interbred with Denisovans, an extinct hominid group that coexisted with Neanderthals and early humans. The Denisovans remain shrouded in mystery, with limited information available about them. Their existence was first confirmed through the discovery of a finger bone and two molars in the Denisova Cave in southern Serbia's Altai Mountains. While Denisovans and Neanderthals share a common origin, they are genetically distinct. Scientists suggest that interbreeding with Denisovans also played a role in shaping the modern human immune system . . . and increased susceptibility to allergies in some individuals.
7. They Consumed Plants and Had Healthier Teeth
Neanderthal teeth have provided scientists with valuable insights into their lifestyle. Previously, experts believed Neanderthals were primarily carnivorous. However, recent analyses of their teeth reveal that they also consumed plants and practiced self-medication by ingesting herbs like chamomile and yarrow. Chamomile is known to soothe stomach discomfort, while yarrow is used to relieve toothaches. This finding is significant because consuming non-nutritive plants indicates that Neanderthals had an advanced understanding of their environment—demonstrating greater intelligence and resourcefulness than previously assumed.
Recent studies have revealed that Neanderthals maintained healthier teeth compared to their human counterparts. Research indicates that Neanderthals experienced fewer tooth losses than humans with similar diets. Tim Weaver and Cassandra Gilmore from the University of California Davis conducted a comparative analysis of teeth from modern humans, Neanderthals, and other primates like baboons, orangutans, and chimpanzees. Their findings showed that modern humans had the poorest dental health, while Neanderthals retained their teeth longer and had fewer cavities.
6. They Understood the Use of Toothpicks
In addition to their dental health, scientists have uncovered evidence that Neanderthals used toothpicks to clean their teeth. This discovery followed the examination of 13 Neanderthal skeletons found in Spain's El Sidron cave, estimated to be over 49,000 years old. Anita Radini, an archaeologist at the University of York, and her team analyzed the teeth of these skeletons and found remnants of conifer wood embedded in the dental calculus (fossilized plaque). This suggests that Neanderthals used wood bark to clean their teeth and relieve gum pain, and possibly even employed their teeth as a “third hand” to grip wooden tools.
This discovery aligns with previous findings that Neanderthals were resourceful in utilizing their environment, including wood. They were skilled in creating tar-like pitch, fire pits, and wooden spears, further demonstrating their ingenuity and adaptability.
5. They Contributed to Heart Disease, Nicotine Dependence, and Depression
Depression, nicotine addiction, and heart disease are prevalent health issues in modern society. While these conditions seem contemporary, recent research from Vanderbilt University and the University of Washington indicates that they may trace back to Neanderthals. Joshua Akey, a co-author of the study, remarked, “You can partially attribute your Neanderthal genes—though not entirely—to some of the health challenges you face.”
Researchers Akey and John Capra uncovered this link by analyzing the medical records and genetic data of 28,000 individuals. The records helped identify the participants' health conditions, while their genetic information revealed Neanderthal DNA. The findings showed that Neanderthal DNA slightly elevated the risk of certain health problems.
4. They Passed On Diabetes
Harvard geneticist David Altshuler and his team proposed that modern humans may have inherited diabetes-related mutations from Neanderthals. This insight emerged years after the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology sequenced the DNA of a Neanderthal fossil. The researchers clarified that their findings do not confirm Neanderthals had diabetes, but rather that the genetic mutations linked to type 2 diabetes, particularly in Latinos and Asians, trace back to them.
Altshuler and his team reached this conclusion by analyzing the DNA of 8,000 individuals from Mexico and Latin America, primarily of Native American and European ancestry. While the connection between Neanderthals and modern diabetes is intriguing, the researchers stressed that their primary goal is to develop innovative treatments to combat this widespread health issue.
3. They Might Make a Comeback
Although Neanderthals have been extinct for millennia, there is a growing possibility that they could return and live alongside us in the future. This seemingly far-fetched idea is made plausible through advancements in cloning technology. Scientists have already cloned various animals, including cows, pigs, rats, dogs, and cats. In 2003, they achieved a significant milestone by cloning the Pyrenean ibex, an extinct wild mountain goat, though the clone survived only briefly.
The primary method scientists use for cloning animals is nuclear transfer, which relies on intact cells from the animal to be cloned. However, for Neanderthals, no intact cells remain, making the process far more challenging. Researchers would need to extract and piece together DNA fragments from 40,000-year-old bones to reconstruct their genome.
In 2012, Harvard geneticist George Church proposed an alternative cloning method that doesn’t require intact cells. In his book Regenesis, Church suggested using healthy cells from closely related species. For Neanderthals, these cells would come from modern humans. Scientists could then genetically modify the human cell’s DNA to match the Neanderthal genome, paving the way for cloning. While reviving Neanderthals is theoretically possible, it remains unlikely in the near future due to the complexity, cost, and risks involved in perfecting the process.
2. They Practiced Burial Rituals
Neanderthals are often portrayed as primitive and uncivilized, but recent findings reveal they were far more advanced than previously believed. William Rendu, lead researcher of a study, stated, “This discovery not only confirms Neanderthal burial practices in Western Europe but also highlights their advanced cognitive abilities in conducting such rituals.” He added that Neanderthals had been burying their dead long before modern humans arrived in Europe.
In 1908, Neanderthal bones were unearthed in La Chapelle-aux-Saints, southwestern France. The remarkable preservation of the remains led scientists to believe they were deliberately buried. However, this sparked controversy, with some experts arguing that the findings were misinterpreted and that the burials were not intentional.
In 1999, William Rendu and his team explored seven additional caves in La Chapelle-aux-Saints. They uncovered Neanderthal skeletons of two children, an adult, and the remains of a reindeer and a bison. Analysis of the depression where the skeletons were found revealed it was not a natural formation, suggesting it was dug purposefully. The excellent condition of the skeletons, including the one discovered in 1908, indicated they were buried shortly after death.
1. They Were Predominantly Right-Handed
Right-handed individuals far exceed left-handed ones, with an estimated 70 to 95 percent of the global population being right-handed. Research suggests that Neanderthals may have also been predominantly right-handed. In 1957, a Neanderthal skeleton named Regourdou was found in France. Scientists hypothesized that Regourdou was right-handed due to the greater muscle development in his right arm compared to his left. However, at the time, no method existed to confirm this theory.
In 2012, researchers developed an innovative method to resolve the mystery of Neanderthal handedness. David Frayer from the University of Kansas led a team that analyzed Regourdou’s shoulders, arms, and the scratch marks on his teeth. They found more right-angled scratches on nearly all of his teeth, confirming he was right-handed. This discovery not only proves that most Neanderthals were right-handed but also suggests they had the capacity for language.
