Figure 3.

Neanderthals interbred with modern humans in Middle East between 47,000 and 65,000 years ago before going extinct 40,000 years ago. a. The geographical range of Homo Neanderthalenisis. b. About 60,000-70,000 years ago, the ancestors of modern human began interbreeding with Neanderthals. Estimates show that the majority of the Neanderthal DNA in the genomes of modern human is originated from interbreeding that occurred around 50,000-55,000 years ago in the Middle East. (Figure reproduced from: https://www.the-scientist.com/features/neanderthal-dna-in-modern-human-genomes-is-not-silent-66299 [6]).