Neanderthals lived alongside humans for 5,000 years
- Published
The remains of a Neanderthal foot
Humans and Neanderthals lived alongside each other in Europe ten times longer than previously thought, a new study suggests.
Their ancestors left Africa 400,000 years ago
They travelled to Europe and Asia where they evolved into Neanderthals
They went extinct 30,000 years ago
Researchers who've studied bones and tools belonging to Neanderthals, suggest the two species lived side by side for up to 5,000 years.
They say the two groups might have even exchanged ideas and culture.
Neanderthals are a closely related species of human that lived in Europe around 250,000 years ago.
Collecting samples
Researchers study a Neanderthal site
The international team of researchers collected more than 400 samples from the most important sites in Europe.
The samples were then analysed using state-of-the-art dating methods at Oxford University.
Up to now, the results provide the clearest insight into how humans and Neanderthals interacted with each other.
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