Intermingling of Modern Humans and Neanderthals in the Zagros Mountains
Recent research has placed the intermingling of modern humans and Neanderthals within the regions of the Zagros Mountains. This conclusion is based on a study of both Southwest Asia and Southeastern Europe during the era known as the Late Pleistocene, detailing the exact environment where these prehistoric populations merged.
The expanse of the Zagros Mountains, traversing areas of Iran, northern Iraq, and southeastern Turkey, offers a varied environment that is rich in resources and capable of sustaining sizeable human communities. This area served as a natural junction for differing environmental zones, making it a prime spot for convergence during periods of climatic transition.
Archaeological and Genetic Evidence
Supporting evidence comes from archaeological discoveries of both Neanderthal and ancient Homo sapiens remains in abundance within this area. The genetic remnants of these ancient unions are still evident today, with contemporary non-African human genomes containing approximately 1 to 4 percent Neanderthal DNA.
These genetic traces have left their mark on numerous aspects of today’s human physiology and health, influencing traits from the size of our noses to our susceptibility to various illnesses — notable examples include COVID-19 and depression. These findings were validated and published in the esteemed journal Scientific Reports.
Previous hints at these historical genetic exchanges were made public in 2024, indicating the sustained interest within the scholarly community concerning the evolutionary lineage of humans. This recent study adds to the corpus of knowledge regarding the influential role of ancient human species in shaping the genetic tapestry of today’s human populace.
