The PBS series "Becoming Human" highlights research suggesting that modern humans and Neanderthals may have interbred, a view that aligns with the current consensus among paleo-anthropologists. Most researchers now believe that Neanderthals and modern humans shared a common ancestor within the last 500,000 years, likely in Africa, rather than Neanderthals being direct ancestors of modern humans. The Neandertal Genome Project has provided evidence of genetic similarities between Neanderthals and non-African Homo sapiens, supporting the theory of interbreeding. Some studies propose that this interbreeding may have occurred before the migration of modern humans into Europe and Asia. Additionally, there is speculation about parallel adaptations to colder climates among these groups.
