They just moved the headstones, didn’t they.
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Given that we know interbreeding took place, it’s not shocking that this would be out there. Actually finding it though is kinda amazing. It is worth noting that human and Neanderthal were probably well on their way to being genetically incompatible, as it seems that human father/Neanderthal mother was not a viable combination, as opposed to Neanderthal dad/human mom, which apparently was.
Fascinating stuff still to be learned!
ETA: From the comments (Ars comments are about the only ones I am aware of worth reading)
A male Neanderthal and female Sapian may have only produced fertile females.
A male Sapian and female Neanderthal may have only produced fertile males.
Based on no Neanderthal contribution to Y chromosomes or mtDNA. It’s nave as simple as it looks at fiorst glance!
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Because Y chromosomes and mtDNA have single parent inheritance, though, they don’t get to be mixed together. Even with full breeding compatibility you would expect a minority version to eventually die out, or else become the majority version, just from chance. Has it been long enough for that to be likely with neandertals? I’m not sure, just I’m suspicious of “the fertile pairs must be the ones that don’t leave evidence then”.
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