Scientists Discovered Something Strange About Neanderthal…

Ancient Civilizations

Scientists Discovered Something Strange About Neanderthal DNA

Neanderthals, our ancient humanoid cousins, roamed Europe and Asia for over 350,000 years before mysteriously vanishing. Recent discoveries about their DNA have unveiled unexpected connections between them and modern…

March 10, 2025 • 3 min read • Art Grindstone

Art Grindstone is the hard-nosed storyteller behind Unexplained.co, a veteran investigator whose life’s work sits at the crossroads of the paranormal, fringe science, and the shadows most people try not to look into. With decades spent chasing impossible stories — black-budget psychic programs, vanished Cold War experiments, desert rituals that sparked UFO waves, and the strange phenomena buried in America’s forgotten backroads — Art brings a rare combination of skepticism, awe, and journalistic precision. He’s not here to debunk. He’s not here to blindly believe. He follows the evidence wherever it leads — even when it leads someplace deeply uncomfortable. Known for his immersive, cinematic style and his ability to turn obscure research into gripping narrative, Art has built a devoted following across podcasts, long-form features, documentaries, and serialized investigations. His interviews are direct. His analysis is unflinching. His voice has become a staple in the modern paranormal renaissance — the guy people turn to when a story is too strange, too complex, or too dangerous for anyone else to touch. Off-mic, Art works with a distributed network of researchers, archivists, and field operatives who help surface the stories mainstream media ignores. On-mic, he transforms their findings into meticulous, high-impact reporting that refuses to insult the intelligence of true believers. His philosophy is simple: Take the phenomenon seriously. Treat the audience with respect. Tell the story as if the world depends on it — because sometimes it does. When Art Grindstone digs into a case, he isn’t just chasing a mystery. He’s tracing the fault lines of reality itself.

In This Report(8)

Neanderthals, our ancient humanoid cousins, roamed Europe and Asia for over 350,000 years before mysteriously vanishing. Recent discoveries about their DNA have unveiled unexpected connections between them and modern humans, revealing a fascinating genetic legacy that continues to influence us today.

Key Takeaways

Neanderthals lived alongside early humans but eventually went extinct.
Modern humans carry traces of Neanderthal DNA, even in African populations.
Neanderthals had unique physical traits that have been passed down to us.
Genetic studies reveal insights into Neanderthal social structures and family dynamics.

The Mystery of Neanderthal Extinction

Neanderthals were once the dominant humanoid species in Europe and Asia. Their disappearance raises questions. Was it climate change? Resource competition with Homo sapiens? Evidence suggests that while climate shifts may have played a role, archaeological findings show no catastrophic events that wiped them out.

Genetic Mixing: A Surprising Discovery

Despite the belief that Neanderthals never lived in Africa, modern humans of African descent carry about 0.5% Neanderthal DNA. This suggests that early humans may have migrated to Europe, interbred with Neanderthals, and then returned to Africa, leaving a genetic mark.

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The Neanderthal Legacy in Our Genes

Scientists have studied the DNA of thousands of individuals worldwide, revealing that about 20% of Neanderthal DNA is still present in modern humans. On average, individuals carry about 2% of Neanderthal DNA, with some populations having slightly more.

Physical Traits Passed Down

Neanderthals were known for their distinctive features, including their large noses. These adaptations were crucial for survival in cold climates, as they helped warm and humidify the air. Research has linked a specific gene, atf3, to nose height, showing that this trait has been inherited by some modern populations, particularly those with Native American ancestry.

Brain Power: A Genetic Advantage?

Another intriguing aspect of Neanderthal DNA is its potential impact on brain development. A specific mutation in the neocortex—the part of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions—may have given modern humans an edge. This mutation is nearly identical to the Neanderthal version, differing by just one amino acid. While this doesn’t guarantee superior intelligence, it suggests a possible cognitive advantage.