Earliest evidence of mating between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals found in Israel

(JNS) — Israeli and French researchers have discovered in Israel the earliest scientific evidence of interbreeding between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals, Tel Aviv University announced on Wednesday.

The skeleton of a five-year-old child who lived 140,000 years ago, that was found in a prehistoric cave on Mount Carmel, features a combination of Neanderthal and Homo sapiens traits, according to the university.

Neanderthals vs Homo sapiens

While closely related, Neanderthals and Homo sapiens were distinct human species with different physical characteristics and behavioral patterns. Neanderthals p...