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Today in History: Neanderthal genome draft reveals human ancestry

5/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On May 7, scientists released a draft Neanderthal genome, confirming that interbreeding with modern humans left a lasting legacy. The data show that 1–4 % of the DNA of all non-African populations derives from Neanderthals, who vanished about 40,000 years ago after modern humans spread into Europe and Asia.

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Story summary

On May 7, scientists released a draft Neanderthal genome, confirming that interbreeding with modern humans left a lasting legacy. The data show that 1–4 % of the DNA of all non-African populations derives from Neanderthals, who vanished about 40,000 years ago after modern humans spread into Europe and Asia.