About 37,000 years ago, Neanderthals lived in small groups in southern Spain. They may have faced challenges from the eruption of the Phlegraean Fields in Italy, disrupting food chains across the Mediterranean. Neanderthals engaged in daily activities like crafting tools, eating birds and mushrooms, and creating jewelry.
The extinction of Neanderthals began tens of thousands of years earlier when they became isolated and dispersed. By 34,000 years ago, Neanderthals had effectively gone extinct. The overlap between modern humans and Neanderthals led researchers to investigate the role of humans in their demise.
Research suggests a combination of factors led to Neanderthals’ extinction, including competition among Neanderthal groups, inbreeding, and the presence of modern humans. Genetic studies indicate that Neanderthals had lower genetic diversity and smaller group sizes, potentially contributing to their downfall.
While some evidence points to violence and warfare between modern humans and Neanderthals, it is unclear if modern humans directly caused their extinction. The competition for resources, differences in brain structure, and cultural innovations may have also played a role in Neanderthals’ demise.
Some researchers suggest that modern humans assimilated Neanderthals into their population, leading to the disappearance of Neanderthals as a distinct group. However, the exact nature of interactions between Neanderthals and modern humans remains a topic of debate among scientists.
The complex and nuanced story of Neanderthals’ extinction highlights the importance of considering multiple factors in understanding the fate of our closest human relatives. Ongoing research and discoveries in archaeology and genetics continue to shed light on the mysteries surrounding the disappearance of Neanderthals.
