Part 4/8:
The implications of interbreeding extend into modern genetics, with scientists tracing Neanderthal DNA within contemporary human genomes. A significant revelation was made in 2010 when the Neanderthal genome was mapped, uncovering that many individuals outside of Africa carry between 1.9% and 2.1% Neanderthal ancestry. This suggests that modern humans didn’t just share a common ancestor with Neanderthals but actively mingled with and absorbed them into their genetic lineage, influencing traits such as skin pigmentation.