Supercomputer Simulates Neanderthal Extinction, Finds Humans Were to Blame for Our Ancient Relatives [View all]

Supercomputer Simulates Neanderthal Extinction, Finds Humans Were to Blame for Our Ancient Relatives' Demise
BY JASON MURDOCK ON 5/22/20 AT 8:33 AM EDT

ompetition for resources between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens was the reason for our ancient relatives' demise, new research suggests. Supercomputer simulations have found that Neanderthal extinction—believed to have occurred between 43 to 38 thousand years ago—was unlikely to have been caused by shifts in the climate or interbreeding with travelers from our species.

Spearheaded by Axel Timmermann, director at the Institute for Basic Science's (IBS) Center for Climate Physics, South Korea, a team used mathematical models to simulate migration patterns of Neanderthals and Homo sapiens, and how they interacted over time.

Until now, such models did not exist. "This is the first time we can quantify the drivers of Neanderthal extinction," Timmermann said in a statement. "In the model I can turn on and off... processes such as abrupt climate change, interbreeding or competition."

Experts say that Neanderthals lived in Europe, southwest and central Asia from about 400,000 to 40,000 years ago and are considered to be the closest ancient human relatives, with evidence pointing to both species sharing a common ancestor.

More:
https://www.newsweek.com/neanderthal-extinction-aleph-supercomputer-simulates-homo-sapiens-demise-competition-1505929?piano_t=1