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Neanderthals

AI reconstruction of a mixed Neanderthal-Homo sapiens family.
August 20, 2025, 6:00 am
Study: Homo Sapiens procreated with Neanderthals 100,000 years earlier than thought
Israeli-French research applies new techniques to a fossilized child’s skull found in northern Israeli cave, and finds physical characteristics of both types of humans
By Sue Surkes
The reconstruction of a Homo neanderthalensis, who lived within Eurasia from circa 400,000 until 40,000 years ago, mirrors at the Neanderthal Museum in Mettmann, Germany, on July 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
July 17, 2025, 7:01 am
Cooking up caveman culture, study shows Neanderthal neighbors were split on how to butcher
By comparing cut marks on bones found at northern Israel caves, researchers find early humans clung to passed-down methods just like you might stick to grandma’s recipes
By Rossella Tercatin
Tinshemet Cave, a Middle Paleolithic site in central Israel, during excavations. (Yossi Zaidner)
March 11, 2025, 4:27 pm
Sapiens and Neanderthals coexisted in prehistoric Israel, rare cave burials show
Using dentists’ tools, archaeologists painstakingly uncover evidence that Israel’s Tinshemet Cave housed hominins who shared rituals and knowledge, and possibly lived in harmony
By Rossella Tercatin
Left: The intentionally engraved core found at the Manot Cave in a high-resolution photograph and 3D model (Photo by E. Ostrovsky and drawing by M. Smelansky, 3-D models by E. Paixao and L. Schunk). Right: The blade found at the Amud Cave, whose marks were created by casual abrasion. (Erella Hovers)
February 10, 2025, 9:31 am
Prehistoric artifacts from Israel prove our ancestors made art 100,000 years ago
New study shows Middle Paleolithic people intentionally decorated stone tools, offering evidence that abstract thinking began earlier than 50,000 years ago as previously believed
By Rossella Tercatin
Swedish scientist Svante Paabo smiles at the award ceremony at the Hamburg Kerber Foundation's European Science Prize, in Hamburg, Germany, September 7, 2018. (Christian Charisius/dpa via AP)
October 3, 2022, 1:57 pm
Nobel Prize in Medicine awarded to Swedish evolutionary scientist
Svante Paabo, whose research showed genetic mixing between humans and Neanderthals and Denisovans, to receive nearly $900,000
By AP and ToI Staff
Scientists working at the entrance of the Mandrin cave, near Montelimar, southern France. (Ludovic Slimak via AP)
February 10, 2022, 6:49 am
Homo sapiens and Neanderthals alternately lived in the same cave, study says
Archaeologists in France say modern humans arrived in Europe 54,000 years ago, earlier than previously thought
By Pierre CELERIER
This undated image provided by Tel Aviv University in June 2021 shows a virtual reconstruction of a human ancestor mandible found in Nesher Ramla. (Ariel Pokhojaev, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University via AP)
June 24, 2021, 9:01 pm
Fossils found in Israel are ‘last survivors’ of ‘missing’ type of extinct humans
Researchers say ‘Nesher Ramla Homo’ may have lived alongside Homo sapiens for over 100,000 years, and may have interbred with our species
By CHRISTINA LARSON
Prehistorian Dr. Omry Barzilai with a flint tool from 50,000-year-old Boker Tachtit. (Israel Antiquities Authority)
June 18, 2021, 10:08 am
Podcast: 50,000 years ago, early man and Neanderthals had their first date
Israel Antiquities Authority prehistorian Omry Barzilai puts a human face on early man, who he claims evidence shows was a lot like us
By ToI Staff
Prehistorian Dr. Omry Barzilai with a flint tool from 50,000-year-old Boker Tachtit. (Israel Antiquities Authority)
June 14, 2021, 10:37 pm
Prehistoric man lived with and loved Neanderthals in the Negev 50,000 years ago
Using precision carbon dating and secure archaeological contexts, researchers have proof for the first time of when the two cultures overlapped — and where
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
This electron microscope image provided shows part of a Neanderthal cord from Abri du Maras, France. (M-H. Moncel via AP)
April 13, 2020, 2:55 am
Oldest known string upends assumptions on Neanderthal intelligence
Archaeologists discover 40-50,000-year-old cord in France, suggesting ancient hominids had some understanding of numbers, use of tree fibers
By Malcolm Ritter
The exterior of Shanidar Cave in northern Iraq in 2005 (CC BY JosephV/Wikimedia Commons)
February 20, 2020, 6:21 pm
New evidence points to Neanderthal burial rituals
Skeletal remains found in Iraqi cave give credence to theory that humans’ ancient relatives interred their dead, and even left flowers by their side
By ToI Staff
Liran Carmel of the Hebrew University reveals a 3D printed model of the face of prehistoric human species Denisovan during a press conference at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem on September 19, 2019. (MENAHEM KAHANA / AFP)
December 8, 2019, 3:18 pm
Israeli reconstruction of ancient human face finalist for ‘Breakthrough of Year’
Hebrew University researchers’ genetic analysis of Denisovans, cousins to Neanderthals, one of four ‘people’s choice’ finalists for recognition by prestigious Science magazine
By Amanda Borschel-Dan and ToI Staff
Upper and lower molars from Manot cave, dated to 38,000 years before present, showing a mixture of characteristics. (Dr. Rachel Sarig)
November 5, 2019, 5:18 pm
Ancient teeth show some early humans came to Israel from Europe 40,000 years ago
New Tel Aviv University study attempts to put to rest an ongoing debate over when, and from which direction, the elusive, artistic Aurignacian culture was brought to the Levant
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
Researchers screen for finds at the Stelida, archaeological site in Greece in 2017. (Jason Lau/courtesy)
October 24, 2019, 9:12 pm
Upending wisdom, Stone Age pre-humans traveled Mediterranean 200,000 years ago
Findings in Greece could rewrite accepted narrative of how early humans reached Europe; study’s authors raise possibility that pre-sapien hominins used boats
By Luke Tress
3-D printed reconstruction of a female Denisovan. (Maayan Harel)
September 19, 2019, 6:03 pm
Meet the Denisovans: High-tech gene analysis finally gives ancient humans a face
Breakthrough Hebrew University methodology studies ancient DNA’s expression to determine physical characteristics of our extinct prehistoric relatives
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
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