Connectivity over conquest: human networks may have edge over Neanderthals, study says
Researchers modeling ancient Europe show Homo sapiens survived Neanderthals not through brains or brawn but via more interconnected populations enabling resource and information exchange during climate shifts 35,000–60,000 years ago. Neanderthals’ smaller, scattered groups were more vulnerable, with only limited overlap between the lineages, suggesting networks—and not direct competition—helped sapiens prevail. Modern non-Africans carry a small percentage of Neanderthal DNA, but the study highlights networks as the key factor in our species’ rise.