News Genetics

Ancient DNA unveils Siberian Neandertals’ small-scale social lives

Individuals lived in small groups of close relatives and adult female newcomers

An illustration of a Siberian Neandertal father carrying his young daughter on his shoulders.

Siberian Neandertals, illustrated here by a father toting his daughter, lived in small groups of close relatives and adult female migrants, a new DNA analysis of 13 ancient hominids shows.

Tom Bjorklund

By Bruce Bower

DNA from a group of Neandertals who lived together and a couple of others who lived not far away has yielded the best genetic peek to date into the social worlds of these ancient hominids.