“
We found that detected introgressions shared more archaic-specific mutations with Altai Neanderthal than they shared with Denisovan, and 60.3% of archaic hominin introgressions were from Neanderthals. Furthermore, we detected more introgressions from two unknown archaic hominins whom diverged with modern humans approximately 859 and 3,464 thousand years ago. The latter unknown archaic hominin contributed to the genomes of the common ancestors of modern humans and Neanderthals. In total, archaic hominin introgressions comprised 2.4% of Eurasian genomes. Above results suggested a complex admixture history among hominins.
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* translation: not only are we the product of cross breeding with Neanderthals and Denisovans, but two far older branches of the hominid tree.
The natural state of hominids has been expansion then separation into subspecies… like say from an Ice Age, or other heavy weather event or catastrophe… then hooking up again later and swapping genes. This is how it’s been done for millions of years.
Statistically, there being just one species of human on the planet has been “unnatural”. Remember, our current count for the end of the last Ice Age now stands at four.
Who knows what more genetic data mining will reveal? Our complex origins.
Extrapolate forwards for Mars and other off-world colonies at your leisure. (And sideways for cryptozoological fun times.)
The Committee to Nuke Elysium 