Computer Simulation Reveals Routes Neanderthals Used To Migrate to Eurasia
For a long time, Neanderthal routes for their second wave of migration had been a huge mystery for experts. Recently, a team of researchers has used supercomputers to understand this elusive path across Eurasia on maps, according to IFL Science. The insights used for creating these maps have been published in the journal PLOS One. This second wave of migration reportedly happened sometime between 120,000 and 60,000 years ago. Previously examined archaeological sites in Eastern Europe and the Altai Mountains of Mongolia have already revealed that the Neanderthals migrated from Eastern Europe to southern Siberia and Central Asia during that period. However, the routes they took between these locations remained a source of speculation.
The confusion is primarily because there was a lack of "connection" between many of these archaeological sites, according to Phys.org. There were several natural obstacles, like mountains and rivers, which made it difficult for experts to understand a route. In this study, a group of anthropologists applied computer simulations and formulated maps, exhibiting the possible pathways that Neanderthals could have taken to travel through Eurasia. For the simulations, the experts took into consideration factors like terrain elevation, average temperature, glacial barriers, and ancient rivers in the area. Through these aspects, they tried to understand what paths Neanderthals must have considered suitable for them in their journey.
It is the first time such a method has been applied to figure out the tracks undertaken by Neanderthals. Previously, it had been used to figure out the path adopted by modern humans and animals in their respective voyages. The simulations indicated that the group possibly traveled through river valleys, using them as natural highways. Researchers further figured out that the group must have been traveling during the warmer phases of the period and managed to cover 2,000 miles (3,250 km) in less than 2,000 years. Also, the simulations indicated that despite all the obstacles, Neanderthals must have been able to cross northern Eurasia fairly quickly.
According to the simulations, the migrations could have taken place during two possible phases. These phases were determined to be Marine Isotope Stage 5e [MIS 5e] and Marine Isotope Stage 3 [MIS 3]. The former happened around 125,000 years ago, while the latter began approximately 60,000 years ago. The two phases stood out because the temperature in these periods was relatively warmer, and hence, it was easier for them to move. The simulation predicted that Neanderthals possibly reached the Siberian Altai Mountains in 2,000 years, either during the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5e or MIS 3, according to Discovery Magazine.
Radu Iovita, an associate professor at NYU's Center for the Study of Human Origins, shared that Neanderthals migrating speculations from the Caucasus Mountains to Siberia in just 2,000 years using river corridors have been made in the past. However, apart from genetic data, there was not much to substantiate this claim. These computer simulations indicated that such long-distance migrations were bound to happen due to the state of the landscape during the warm phases.
Also, the group may have divided into several sections and taken multiple routes, but on the same path in the north. This path crossed through locations such as the Ural Mountains and southern Siberia. The claim is backed by the placement of known archeological sites in the area. The routes showcased in the maps would have brought Neanderthals close to the settlements occupied by Denisovans, which aligns with the evidence of interbreeding between the two groups.