Professor Chris Stringer

Yes. I mean, it must have been an incredible time and it's a shame we haven't got a time machine to go back and see exactly what happened. But yes, you're right. I'm sure there were many different encounters, different kinds of encounters between these populations. So When they first met, and of course, we've mentioned that they could have met even more than 200,000 years ago.

They also met, and we haven't talked about it, they also must have encountered each other in Western Asia 100,000 years ago because we've got early Homo sapiens at sites like Shkul and Khafzeh.

They also met, and we haven't talked about it, they also must have encountered each other in Western Asia 100,000 years ago because we've got early Homo sapiens at sites like Shkul and Khafzeh.

They also met, and we haven't talked about it, they also must have encountered each other in Western Asia 100,000 years ago because we've got early Homo sapiens at sites like Shkul and Khafzeh.

in israel about a hundred thousand years ago and we know neanderthals were at least in the vicinity at that time and what's interesting is that the industries at school and cafe for some people they even look a bit neanderthal like people have speculated there could have been contact between the populations which even influenced them culturally and so when we look at the situation after 60 000

in israel about a hundred thousand years ago and we know neanderthals were at least in the vicinity at that time and what's interesting is that the industries at school and cafe for some people they even look a bit neanderthal like people have speculated there could have been contact between the populations which even influenced them culturally and so when we look at the situation after 60 000

in israel about a hundred thousand years ago and we know neanderthals were at least in the vicinity at that time and what's interesting is that the industries at school and cafe for some people they even look a bit neanderthal like people have speculated there could have been contact between the populations which even influenced them culturally and so when we look at the situation after 60 000

Yes, we've mentioned Grot Mondrian, where there's this brief occupation by Homo sapiens. And when we come to 45,000 years ago, we've got better evidence of sapiens establishing themselves in places like Romania and Czechia and Germany and even Britain. It looks like Homo sapiens were reaching these areas in probably small numbers, pioneering groups, but encountering the Neanderthals.

Yes, we've mentioned Grot Mondrian, where there's this brief occupation by Homo sapiens. And when we come to 45,000 years ago, we've got better evidence of sapiens establishing themselves in places like Romania and Czechia and Germany and even Britain. It looks like Homo sapiens were reaching these areas in probably small numbers, pioneering groups, but encountering the Neanderthals.

Yes, we've mentioned Grot Mondrian, where there's this brief occupation by Homo sapiens. And when we come to 45,000 years ago, we've got better evidence of sapiens establishing themselves in places like Romania and Czechia and Germany and even Britain. It looks like Homo sapiens were reaching these areas in probably small numbers, pioneering groups, but encountering the Neanderthals.

So possibly to begin with, the groups avoided each other. These were strange people not known to each other. And maybe the first reaction would have been to try and keep apart. But obviously, as climates change and move them around, as population numbers maybe grew, it was more likely they were going to be in contact with each other. And of course, these could have been

So possibly to begin with, the groups avoided each other. These were strange people not known to each other. And maybe the first reaction would have been to try and keep apart. But obviously, as climates change and move them around, as population numbers maybe grew, it was more likely they were going to be in contact with each other. And of course, these could have been

So possibly to begin with, the groups avoided each other. These were strange people not known to each other. And maybe the first reaction would have been to try and keep apart. But obviously, as climates change and move them around, as population numbers maybe grew, it was more likely they were going to be in contact with each other. And of course, these could have been

hostile encounters with actual warfare between them. But equally, they could have been more peaceful with evidence, of course, that Neanderthals and Homo sapiens did interbreed. That suggests direct contact. But at the moment, with our knowledge, it's actually very difficult to know how often they're in the same place at the same time. We just don't have the precision of dating.

hostile encounters with actual warfare between them. But equally, they could have been more peaceful with evidence, of course, that Neanderthals and Homo sapiens did interbreed. That suggests direct contact. But at the moment, with our knowledge, it's actually very difficult to know how often they're in the same place at the same time. We just don't have the precision of dating.

hostile encounters with actual warfare between them. But equally, they could have been more peaceful with evidence, of course, that Neanderthals and Homo sapiens did interbreed. That suggests direct contact. But at the moment, with our knowledge, it's actually very difficult to know how often they're in the same place at the same time. We just don't have the precision of dating.

And when there are sites with occupation by Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. And I mentioned Epidema Cave. I mentioned Grot Mondrian. Of course, the occupations suggest separate occupations at the moment. But at Grot Mondrian, it's possible that you've even got occupation within a year or two by one group or the other. So they are very close to each other in time and space.

And when there are sites with occupation by Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. And I mentioned Epidema Cave. I mentioned Grot Mondrian. Of course, the occupations suggest separate occupations at the moment. But at Grot Mondrian, it's possible that you've even got occupation within a year or two by one group or the other. So they are very close to each other in time and space.

And when there are sites with occupation by Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. And I mentioned Epidema Cave. I mentioned Grot Mondrian. Of course, the occupations suggest separate occupations at the moment. But at Grot Mondrian, it's possible that you've even got occupation within a year or two by one group or the other. So they are very close to each other in time and space.

And obviously from the interbreeding, we know at times they were there at the same time. So we can't actually map how often they competed with each other. But clearly there would have been economic competition because, of course, they're going to be wanting to hunt the same animals.