A recent study published in Nature has unraveled new details about the relationships between early modern humans and Neanderthals in Europe, revealing genetic links and significant insights into the migration and interaction patterns of our ancient ancestors. The research, led by scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, sheds light on two specific archaeological sites: Zlatý kůň in Czechia and Ranis in Germany.

Zlatý Kůň and Ranis: A Shared Lineage

The Zlatý kůň site, located in central Czechia, contained a human skull estimated to be 45,000 years old. Genetic analysis revealed this individual was part of a small population of early modern humans that likely crossed the open steppe landscapes of Europe. Similarly, the Ranis site in Thuringia, Germany, housed 13 bone fragments, initially associated with tools from the Lincombian-Ranisian-Jerzmanowician (LRJ) culture. Nuclear DNA analysis later confirmed that these bones represented at least six individuals, including a mother-daughter pair.

Key genetic findings from the study:

• A genetic relationship (fifth- or sixth-degree) was discovered between Zlatý kůň and two individuals from Ranis.
• Both groups were part of a distinct lineage that diverged early after migrating out of Africa.
• The populations were small, likely consisting of a few hundred individuals spread over a wide area.

This revelation not only links these two ancient sites but also highlights the extent to which early modern humans were mobile and interconnected across prehistoric Europe.

African Heritage and Distinct Traits

The genetic makeup of the Zlatý kůň and Ranis populations reflects their recent African ancestry, with traits such as dark skin, dark hair, and brown eyes. Despite their shared traits and presence in Europe, these populations did not leave a genetic legacy in later European or global populations. They represent a unique lineage of modern humans that diverged early after migrating out of Africa.

Johannes Krause, a senior author of the study, noted, “These results provide us with a deeper understanding of the earliest pioneers that settled in Europe. They also indicate that any modern human remains found outside Africa that are older than 50,000 years could not have been part of the common, non-African population that interbred with Neanderthals and is now found across much of the world.”

Illustration of the Zlatý kůň/Ranis group. Around 45,000 years ago, individuals from Ranis in Germany and Zlatý kůň in the Czech Republic likely traveled together across the open steppe landscapes of Europe. Credit: Tom Björklund for the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

Interactions With Neanderthals

While other early human populations in Europe carry evidence of interbreeding with Neanderthals, the Zlatý kůň and Ranis groups showed no signs of recent Neanderthal admixture. This contrasts with later arrivals to Europe, suggesting these populations may have taken a different migration route or settled in regions with limited Neanderthal presence.

Interestingly, older Neanderthal ancestry was detected in their genomes, pointing to an admixture event that occurred between 45,000 and 49,000 years ago. This earlier genetic mingling predates their settlement in Europe and provides a timeline for human-Neanderthal interactions during migration out of Africa.

The following is a chronological account of significant occurrences in the history of human-Neanderthal interactions:

Tools, Culture, and Migration Routes

The LRJ tools found at Ranis suggest a level of sophistication in tool-making, but their creators were previously unknown. The recent discovery that these tools were likely made by modern humans from the Zlatý kůň and Ranis group adds a new dimension to their cultural capabilities. This finding also raises questions about their migration routes and how their distinct lineage ended without contributing to later human populations.

The Zlatý kůň/Ranis populations appear to have been small, with genetic data suggesting they consisted of a few hundred individuals spread across a vast area. Despite their presence, their genetic legacy disappeared, a phenomenon likely influenced by competition with other groups, environmental changes, and other unknown factors.

This study, conducted by a team from the Max Planck Institute, offers a detailed look into the lives of Europe’s earliest settlers. It highlights the diversity of human migration and the complex web of interactions between modern humans and Neanderthals.