With minimal Neanderthal archaeological sites connecting Eastern Europe and Eurasia, it had long been a mystery as to how Neanderthals traveled between the two regions between 120,000 years and 60,000 years ago. Researchers in a new study, published in PLOS One, used a new computer simulation to pinpoint the ancient paths the Neanderthals took as they traveled over 2,000 miles in less than 2,000 years.
The research reveals that they likely followed river valleys and moved during warmer periods.
“These findings provide important insights into the paths of ancient migrations that cannot currently be studied from the archaeological record and reveal how computer simulations can help uncover new clues about ancient migrations that shaped human history,” said Emily Coco, who began the study as a New York University doctoral student and is now a postdoctoral researcher at Portugal’s University of Algarve, in a press release.
Computer simulated paths of Neanderthal ...
