Neanderthals, humans may have co-existed in Israel

Archaeological evidence shows that the warring sub-species may have lived peacefully in North Israel.

Sharp flint arrowheads were found by archaeologists at the site in northern Israel [Credit: Alamy]

It may be known for modern- day conflict, but 80,000 years ago the Holy Land may have been the only place where early homo sapiens and neanderthals lived peacefully, new archeological findings suggest.

Archaeologists working on Mount Carmel’s Nahal Me’arot, UNESCO’s most recently declared World Heritage Site, found evidence that the genealogical relatives lived side by side and perhaps even interbred, according to a report in The Times of London.

“If that interbreeding did take place, it must have been here,”said Daniel Kaufman, an archaeologist working at the site.

The Nahal Me'arot (Cave River) nature reserve containing caves used by prehistoric men [Credit: Alamy]

Genetic research showing Neanderthal genes make up 1 to 4 percent of European genes supports the notion of peaceful interbreeding between the two subspecies.

Earlier theories speculated that the relationship was the result of rape between the constantly warring groups.

Archaeologists have found tools of both Homo sapiens and Neanderthals at the Israeli site.

Source:The Jerusalem Post [October 01, 2012]