A fascinating new discovery has shed light on one of humanity’s greatest mysteries: the extinction of our ancient cousins, the Neanderthals. Recent research published in Scientific Reports reveals that the answer may lie in something as fundamental as blood type.
The Discovery of a Deadly Difference
At Aix-Marseille University, a team of researchers led by population geneticist Stéphane Mazières made a striking discovery. Through careful analysis of ancient genomes dating back 120,000 to 20,000 years ago, they uncovered a crucial difference in blood genetics between Neanderthals and other human species. The Neanderthals possessed a unique Rh blood group variant that set them apart from both early Homo sapiens and Denisovans.
A Fatal Mismatch
This genetic peculiarity proved to be more than just a minor variation. When Neanderthal females mated with males from other human species, their offspring faced severe risks of hemolytic disease. The consequences were potentially devastating, including jaundice, severe anemia, brain damage, and in many cases, death in infancy.
The Adaptation Gap
While early humans demonstrated remarkable genetic flexibility, particularly in their red blood cell characteristics after leaving Africa, Neanderthals showed little change in their blood cell genetics over 80,000 years. This stark contrast in adaptability may have been crucial to survival.
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Geographic Influences on Evolution
The Persian Plateau emerges as a pivotal location in this genetic tale. Between 70,000 and 45,000 years ago, this region appears to have been a crucial testing ground for genetic adaptation. As early humans encountered new environments in Eurasia, their blood genetics rapidly diversified, providing them with a significant advantage over their Neanderthal cousins.
The Final Chapter
The research suggests a poignant conclusion: the very blood that flowed through Neanderthal veins may have contributed to their downfall. While early humans thrived through genetic adaptation, Neanderthals’ unchanging blood genetics, combined with a shrinking population pool, likely hastened their path to extinction. This discovery not only illuminates the fate of our ancient relatives but also highlights the crucial role of genetic adaptability in human survival.
