Professor Chris Stringer

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.

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.

They're going to want to collect the same plant resources and they're going to want to live in the best environments, the best cave sites, the best valleys for hunting and so on.

They're going to want to collect the same plant resources and they're going to want to live in the best environments, the best cave sites, the best valleys for hunting and so on.

They're going to want to collect the same plant resources and they're going to want to live in the best environments, the best cave sites, the best valleys for hunting and so on.

Well, yes. I think even when we look, unfortunately, at our own species today, you know, we have this competition between different groups of our species today and it can be fierce and it can be deadly. And so that must have happened at times. And so... In terms of looking at why the Neanderthals disappeared, I tend to think it's going to be a combination of features rather than one single thing.

Well, yes. I think even when we look, unfortunately, at our own species today, you know, we have this competition between different groups of our species today and it can be fierce and it can be deadly. And so that must have happened at times. And so... In terms of looking at why the Neanderthals disappeared, I tend to think it's going to be a combination of features rather than one single thing.

Well, yes. I think even when we look, unfortunately, at our own species today, you know, we have this competition between different groups of our species today and it can be fierce and it can be deadly. And so that must have happened at times. And so... In terms of looking at why the Neanderthals disappeared, I tend to think it's going to be a combination of features rather than one single thing.

But yes, I'm sure that, you know, the Neanderthals, as I mentioned, they already were potentially vulnerable in terms of their low numbers and their low genetic diversity. And it might not have needed much to tip them over the edge to extinction.

But yes, I'm sure that, you know, the Neanderthals, as I mentioned, they already were potentially vulnerable in terms of their low numbers and their low genetic diversity. And it might not have needed much to tip them over the edge to extinction.

But yes, I'm sure that, you know, the Neanderthals, as I mentioned, they already were potentially vulnerable in terms of their low numbers and their low genetic diversity. And it might not have needed much to tip them over the edge to extinction.

And perhaps the appearance of another species that was even at times just a few percent better at exploiting the environment could have tipped them over the edge. But it clearly wasn't all a one-way traffic of Neanderthals disappearing, because I've mentioned Epidema Cave and I've mentioned Glot Manderen, where the Neanderthals came back. And that's what happened in Israel, too.

And perhaps the appearance of another species that was even at times just a few percent better at exploiting the environment could have tipped them over the edge. But it clearly wasn't all a one-way traffic of Neanderthals disappearing, because I've mentioned Epidema Cave and I've mentioned Glot Manderen, where the Neanderthals came back. And that's what happened in Israel, too.

And perhaps the appearance of another species that was even at times just a few percent better at exploiting the environment could have tipped them over the edge. But it clearly wasn't all a one-way traffic of Neanderthals disappearing, because I've mentioned Epidema Cave and I've mentioned Glot Manderen, where the Neanderthals came back. And that's what happened in Israel, too.

So we have evidence of Homo sapiens at places like Shkul and Kafzei 100,000 years ago. But when we move on in time, the Neanderthals are back in occupation of the area and sapiens seem to have disappeared for a while. So it wasn't all a one-way traffic. And that changing environment, that changing landscape would have complicated the picture.

So we have evidence of Homo sapiens at places like Shkul and Kafzei 100,000 years ago. But when we move on in time, the Neanderthals are back in occupation of the area and sapiens seem to have disappeared for a while. So it wasn't all a one-way traffic. And that changing environment, that changing landscape would have complicated the picture.

So we have evidence of Homo sapiens at places like Shkul and Kafzei 100,000 years ago. But when we move on in time, the Neanderthals are back in occupation of the area and sapiens seem to have disappeared for a while. So it wasn't all a one-way traffic. And that changing environment, that changing landscape would have complicated the picture.

Because some of those changes of environments might have benefited Homo sapiens, and other changes might have benefited the Neanderthals.

Because some of those changes of environments might have benefited Homo sapiens, and other changes might have benefited the Neanderthals.

Because some of those changes of environments might have benefited Homo sapiens, and other changes might have benefited the Neanderthals.