Human/Neanderthal Overlap

[Sejanus]

http://apnews.excite.com/article/2014082...0b4aa.html

BERLIN (AP) — Humans and Neanderthals may have coexisted in Europe for more than 5,000 years, providing ample time for the two species to meet and mix, according to new research.

Using new carbon dating techniques and mathematical models, researchers examined about 200 samples found at 40 sites from Spain to Russia, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Nature. They concluded with a high probability that pockets of Neanderthal culture survived until between 41,030 and 39,260 years ago.

Of course, this still presupposes that HNS and HSS were different "species" and not merely some isolated clans which interbred for too long a period of time.

Interesting read, and I think the species line between HNS and HSS was blurred to some extent; I've heard (previous to this) there was some interbreeding.