Humans And Neanderthals Shared a Culture For 20,000 Years, Cave Discovery Suggests
Archaeological excavations in Turkey's Üçağızlı II Cave reveal that Neanderthals and modern humans shared the same living space and cultural practices for approximately 20,000 years. The discovery of shared ornamental snail shells suggests a deeper level of interaction and symbolic exchange between the two species than previously understood.
Why it matters
This finding challenges the traditional view of human evolution by highlighting a long-term, peaceful cultural coexistence rather than just competition between species.
Add ScienceAlert on Google (Emissary_Filmworks/iStock/Getty Images Plus) We know from the traces left behind in our DNA that Homo sapiens met and mingled with Neanderthals long before our species eventually came to dominate.
The article reports on scientific findings using neutral, evidence-based language without political or social agenda.
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