Reconstructing contact and a potential interbreeding geographical zone between Neanderthals and anatomically modern...

Area of Science:

• Paleoanthropology
• Computational Biology
• Paleogeography

Background:

• Interbreeding between Homo neanderthalensis (Neanderthals) and Anatomically Modern Humans (AMHs) is established, but precise timing and locations remain unclear.
• Previous research highlights the need for detailed spatio-temporal analyses to understand hominin interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reconstruct the paleodistribution of Neanderthals and AMHs during Marine Isotope Stage 5 (MIS 5).
• To identify potential contact and interbreeding zones between Neanderthals and AMHs in Southwest Asia and Southeast Europe.
• To investigate the role of geographic regions as corridors for hominin dispersal.

Main Methods:

• Ecological niche modeling using a maximum entropy approach.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for paleodistribution reconstruction.
• Analysis of climatic variables, topography, and archaeological site coordinates for MIS 5 (ca. 120–80 kyr ago).

Main Results:

• The Zagros Mountains emerged as a significant contact and potential interbreeding zone for Neanderthals and AMHs.
• Paleodistribution models indicate the Zagros Mountains facilitated northwards AMH and southwards Neanderthal dispersal.
• The identified zone aligns with existing archaeological and genetic evidence.

Conclusions:

• The Zagros Mountains likely served as a critical corridor facilitating Neanderthal-AMH interactions and gene flow during MIS 5.
• This study provides a refined geographical context for understanding early human interbreeding events.
• The findings contribute to a comprehensive picture of hominin population dynamics and dispersal.