Neanderthals and the Basques: Tracing the Deep Roots of Human Ancestry...
In the annals of human history, few mysteries are as captivating as the enigmatic relationship between Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, and the ancient peoples of Europe. While it is now well-established that modern humans share a genetic legacy with Neanderthals, the depth of this connection, particularly within certain populations like the Basques, continues to spark intriguing questions. The Basques, a unique ethnic group from the Iberian Peninsula, possess distinct genetic markers and cultural features that hint at a deeper, perhaps ancient, bond with the enigmatic Neanderthal species. The Neanderthal Enigma Neanderthals, formally known as Homo neanderthalensis , were once considered a distinct branch of hominids, largely separated from our ancestors, Homo sapiens . For much of the 20th century, Neanderthals were often depicted as brutish, subhuman creatures, the remnants of an earlier, less-evolved species. But as new archaeological discoveries and advancements in genetic an...