From the Telegraph:
Experts are now convinced that early modern humans and Neanderthals interbred between 50,000 and 100,000 years ago.
As a result, between one and four per cent of our DNA comes from the prehistoric creature, according to the research.
Human-Neanderthal relations occurred as the first pioneering bands of homo sapiens ventured out of Africa, scientists believe.
When they reached the Middle East they ran into groups of Neanderthals who preceded them and it is now thought that they mated.
The discovery emerged from the first attempt to map the complete Neanderthal genetic code, or genome. It more or less settles a long-standing academic debate over interbreeding between separate branches of the human family tree.
....
Professor Svante Paabo, director of evolutionary genetics at the Max Planck Institute in Leipzig, Germany, who led the international project, said that humans in Europe all have "caveman biology".
African humans did not come into contact with Neanderthals but may have bred with other unknown human sub species, he said.
Oh dear! What will the creationists say about this? I suppose the findings won't matter, because the world is only 6000 0r 7000 years old, and the scientific results cannot possibly be true. Oh, but they will mock those of us who do not share their opinions all the more!
And when we tell a person, "You're acting like a Neanderthal," the accusation will have no bite.
Thanks to Lapin for the link.
