DNA Reveals Neanderthals’ Own Blood May Have Led to Their Demise, Scientists Say

Conny Waters – AncientPages.com – The ongoing debate about the disappearance of Neanderthals remains a fascinating topic in scientific research. Previous studies have established that Neanderthals, along with other human relatives, became extinct thousands of years ago, leaving modern humans as the sole surviving lineage. Despite extensive investigations into their extinction, science has yet to pinpoint a definitive cause.

Early research indicated Neanderthals and Denisovans—two archaic hominid groups from Eurasia—had blood groups similar to those found today among sub-Saharan populations and a rare “rhesus” type partially present in Oceanians.

Even with advancements in paleogenomics, our understanding of red blood cell group systems in ancient populations is still limited. However, a recent study by paleoanthropologists and geneticists proposes that the blood characteristics of Neanderthals might provide insights into this evolutionary mystery.

Researchers from France conducted genetic sequencing on three hominid gene populations to explore their red blood cell antigens further. One objective was to identify any differences between Neanderthals and modern humans that could have made them susceptible to diseases they couldn’t overcome.

By sequencing the genes of both Neanderthals and Denisovans and comparing them with Homo sapiens, they focused on genes responsible for producing antigens—sugars and proteins found on red blood cells’ surfaces—to uncover potential vulnerabilities unique to these ancient hominids.

The study’s findings reveal that certain antigens are crucial for the ABO blood typing system, while Rh antigens determine the “negative” and “positive” attributes of each blood type. Researchers also identified numerous other antigens on red blood cells that play significant roles in human health despite being difficult to categorize.

The team examined Rh blood types across three hominid species in their research and discovered notable differences. Neanderthals possessed an Rh type known as RhD, which is rare in modern humans. This variant is incompatible with those found in Homo sapiens or Denisovans. Such incompatibility could have caused hemolytic disease if a Homo sapiens or Denisovan male mated with a Neanderthal female, leading to severe health issues preventing offspring from reaching maturity and reproducing.

The researchers suggest that if such interbreeding were common, it might have contributed to the decline of Neanderthals.

The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports

Written by Conny Waters – AncientPages.com Staff Writer