Neanderthal-human interbreeding Today – Today, most people of non-African ancestry have about two percent Neanderthal DNA. These ancient traces are scattered throughout our genome, reminiscent of encounters between the two groups some 50,000 to 60,000 years ago.

(Image: Reuters) A new study has shed light on a little-known chapter of human history – and suggests that love and attraction may have shaped our DNA in surprising ways. Researchers have found that when Neanderthals and early humans interbred thousands of years ago, the pairing was largely one-sided. Most matings appear to have been between Neanderthal men and human women.

The findings, published Thursday in the journal Science, help explain a long-standing genetic mystery: why Neanderthal DNA is almost completely missing from the human X chromosome. Genetic Differences Today, most people of non-African ancestry have about two percent Neanderthal DNA. These ancient traces are scattered throughout our genome, reminiscent of encounters between the two groups some 50,000 to 60,000 years ago.