Researches have extracted 80 gene sequences of DNA of Neanderthals and found that current Europeans originate 4 percent of there DNA from these Neanderthals. These sequences regulate smell, vision, cell division, sperm integrity, and smooth muscle contraction. FOXP2 is gene that we share with them and is associated with controlling langue. Our nearest ape relatives lack the modern FOXP2 sequence indicating that the Neanderthals had language skills and could speak. Neanderthals lived longer in Europe than modern humans have.
This is awesome. New findings from things that have happened long in the past are crucial to helping to better our own species. Understanding these Neanderthals can help with disease and mutations in the present.
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