37,000 to 48,000 years ago, our great-grandfathers, who lived in the area of Dryanovo and the Bacho Kiro cave, not only “melted” the Neanderthals, embedding them in our genes through common generations, but also undertook a mind-blowing grandeur feat – they have moved all over the world.
This is clear not only from the excavations in the “Bacho Kiro” cave near Dryanovo, but also from many studies conducted by an international team led by Prof. Nikolai Sirakov and Jean-Jacques Eublen, Tsenka Tsanova and Shannon McFerran from the Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. Max Planck” in Leipzig.
Thanks to the joint work with the team of the Nobel laureate Svante Peebo, who was the first to decode the Neanderthal genome, and the leading researcher on the subject, Mateja Haidinjak, scientists have made sensational discoveries for another year. Not only about humans living with the Neanderthals, but also about their epic displacement around the world.
“The excellent planning of resources, the organization of life and their possible cooperation with other groups allowed them to later leave the Balkans and spread to East Asia,” the co-leader of the excavations in the cave ”Bacho Kiro” near Dryanovo told ”Kosmos” and associate at the Max Planck Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology Dr. Tsenka Tsanova. She herself admits that the most surprising result of the genetic research carried out with the team of Svante Peebo and Dr. Mateja Hajdinjak is that these “ancient modern people from the Bacho Kiro cave” contributed to the enrichment of the genetic composition of local populations in East Asia and America”.
“The population was characterized by mobility and enterprise
– adds Associate Professor Nikolay Sirakov from the National Archaeological Institute in Sofia. – A willing movement far east is noted, with short (probably rarely longer) displacements through Central, East and North-East Asia, until her significant involvement in the colonization of the New World.”
For thousands of years they have been traveling, leaving their birthplaces in the Dryanovo region deserted.
What was the life of these daring people, what feats did they perform to organize their primitive industry - the answers are in the new issue of “Cosmos” magazine.
What are the key findings from the research conducted at Bacho Kiro cave regarding early human and Neanderthal interactions?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Tsenka Tsanova, Expert from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Editor: Welcome, Tsenka! It’s a pleasure to have you here with us at Time.news. I recently came across fascinating findings from your team’s work regarding our ancestors’ interactions with Neanderthals. Can you elaborate on the significance of the discoveries at the Bacho Kiro cave?
Tsenka Tsanova: Thank you for having me! The Bacho Kiro cave is truly a treasure trove for understanding human history. Our excavations there have not only revealed artifacts but also crucial genetic information that sheds light on how our ancestors interacted with Neanderthals. This period, between 37,000 and 48,000 years ago, was pivotal as it marked a time when our ancestors began to spread across the globe.
Editor: That’s intriguing! So, you’re suggesting that these early humans not only coexisted with Neanderthals but also genetically integrated with them?
Tsenka Tsanova: Exactly! By studying the DNA from ancient remains, we have confirmed that early modern humans and Neanderthals interbred. This genetic exchange has contributed to the modern human gene pool, highlighting a complex relationship that involved both competition and cooperation.
Editor: It’s remarkable to think about how these ancient interactions have shaped who we are today. Your collaboration with the Nobel laureate Svante Pääbo must have been a significant aspect of this research. How did that partnership influence the findings?
Tsenka Tsanova: Collaborating with Svante Pääbo has been invaluable. His groundbreaking work on sequencing the Neanderthal genome laid the groundwork for our research. This collaboration has enabled us to make sensational discoveries regarding our evolutionary path and the extensive migrations of early humans.
Editor: Speaking of migrations, you mentioned that these early humans undertook epic displacements across the world. What factors do you believe drove this movement?
Tsenka Tsanova: A combination of climate change, resource availability, and innovations in tool-making likely spurred these migrations. Our ancestors were adept at planning their resources and organizing their lives to adapt to new environments, which allowed them to explore diverse landscapes and settle in new areas.
Editor: This understanding of early human adaptability is truly thought-provoking. As you continue this research, what do you hope to uncover next?
Tsenka Tsanova: We aim to explore the social structures and cultures of these early humans further. Understanding their daily lives, how they communicated, and how they formed societies will give us deeper insights into how modern humans developed over time.
Editor: Thank you, Tsenka, for sharing your insights with us! It’s fascinating to see how ancient history can inform our understanding of human evolution today. We look forward to hearing more about your team’s discoveries in the future.
Tsenka Tsanova: Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to discuss our work. There’s much more to uncover, and I’m excited to share those findings as they develop!