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Neanderthal Heritage

Discovering your archaic ancestry

Connecting to 60,000 years of history...

Analyzing archaic DNA markers

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Chapter I

Your Ancient Connection

What your 3.17% Neanderthal heritage means

They were not primitive. They were not brutish. They were human—in every way that matters.

For over 300,000 years, Neanderthals inhabited the vast landscapes of Europe and western Asia. They endured ice ages that would have destroyed lesser beings. They built shelters, controlled fire, and crafted tools with precision that still astonishes archaeologists today.

They buried their dead with flowers. They cared for their sick and elderly—bones show individuals who survived severe injuries, healed and fed by their families for years. They made jewelry, painted caves, and likely spoke a language as complex as our own.

Between 60,000 and 40,000 years ago, when modern humans arrived in their world, something unexpected happened. Instead of conflict, there was connection. Two lineages of humanity—separated for hundreds of thousands of years—found each other. That union lives on in your DNA today.

"They buried their dead. They cared for their sick. They are part of you."

Neanderthal Geographic Distribution

Neanderthals inhabited a vast range across Europe and western Asia, adapting to diverse environments from Mediterranean coasts to Siberian steppes.

Map showing Neanderthal migration and settlement patterns across Europe and Asia

Click image to view in full size — Major Neanderthal sites and migration routes

Chapter II

What Survives in You

How Neanderthal DNA influences your health, adaptation, and traits

Potential Benefits

  • Enhanced immune response to certain pathogens
  • Improved blood coagulation and clotting
  • Better adaptation to high-altitude environments
  • Enhanced fat metabolism in cold climates
  • Increased bone density and strength
  • Better UV protection and skin resilience

Health Considerations

  • Increased susceptibility to certain autoimmune disorders
  • Higher risk of allergies and sensitivities
  • Potential impact on mental health traits
  • Modified pain sensitivity and perception
  • Variations in nicotine and substance processing
  • Possible increased Type 2 diabetes risk

Modern Population Distribution

East Asians (China, Japan, Korea)
2.3-2.6%
Europeans (Various populations)
1.8-2.4%
South Asians (India, Pakistan)
1.6-2.2%
Native Americans
1.5-2.0%
Sub-Saharan Africans
Minimal
Chapter III

Your Inherited Traits

Discover how your Neanderthal DNA influences your characteristics

These traits are linked to Neanderthal genetic variants found in your DNA. Each represents a connection to adaptations that helped our ancient relatives survive in the challenging environments of Ice Age Europe.

Straight Hair

You are more likely to have straighter hair

1 of 2 variants 50%

Higher Height

We found the variant that may increase your height

1 of 2 variants 50%

Chin Dimple

You are less likely to have a chin dimple

1 of 2 variants 50%

Hitchhiker'S Thumb

You are less likely to have a hitchhiker's thumb

1 of 2 variants 50%

Sweet Vs Salty

You are less likely to prefer salty foods over sweet

1 of 8 variants 13%

Sprint Vs Distance

You are more likely to be better sprinter than distance runner

1 of 10 variants 10%

Sense Of Direction

You are more likely to have worse sense of direction

1 of 2 variants 50%

Urinary Syptoms

You are more likely to have more urinary symptoms

1 of 2 variants 50%

Traits Not Present in Your DNA

These Neanderthal-associated traits were not detected in your genetic data. This doesn't mean you won't express these traits, as many factors influence trait expression.

Back Hair

You don't have variants for more likely to have less back hair

0 of 2 variants 0%

Shorter Height

We found the variant that reduces 1% your height

0 of 2 variants 0%

Floral Fragance

You don't have variants for more likely to be able to detect floral fragrance

0 of 2 variants 0%

Ability To Smell

You don't have variants for more likely to have worse ability to smell some scents

0 of 2 variants 0%

Hoarding

You don't have variants for more likely to have difficulty discarding rarely-used possessions

0 of 4 variants 0%

Stretch Marks

You don't have variants for less likely to have stretch marks

0 of 4 variants 0%

Body Shape

You don't have variants for more likely to have a apple body shape

0 of 2 variants 0%

Crying While Cutting Onions

You don't have variants for more likely to cry while cutting onions

0 of 2 variants 0%

Dandruff

You don't have variants for more likely to have dandruff

0 of 2 variants 0%

Earlobes

You don't have variants for more likely to have detached earlobes than attached

0 of 2 variants 0%

Fear Of Public Speaking

You don't have variants for more likely to have fear of public speaking

0 of 2 variants 0%

Full Stomach Sneeze Reflex

You don't have variants for less likely to sneeze after eating

0 of 2 variants 0%

Feeling Hangry

You don't have variants for less likely to feel angry when hungry

0 of 2 variants 0%

Mosquito Bite Itch

You don't have variants for more likely to experience more itchy mosquito bites

0 of 4 variants 0%

Sweat During A Workout

You don't have variants for more likely to sweat during a workout

0 of 6 variants 0%

Fear Of Heights

You don't have variants for less likely to have a fear of heights

0 of 4 variants 0%

Dark Chocolate Sneeze Reflex

You don't have variants for less likely to sneeze after eating dark chocolate

0 of 4 variants 0%

Nicotin Dependence

You don't have variants for more likely to have dependency of nicotine

0 of 2 variants 0%

Deficiency Protein

You don't have variants for more likely to have a deficiency of proteins and calories

0 of 2 variants 0%

Bladder Dysfunction

You don't have variants for more likely to have a bladder dysfunction

0 of 2 variants 0%

Sleep Apnea

You don't have variants for more likely to have sleep apnea

0 of 2 variants 0%

Sleep Restless Legs

You don't have variants for less likely to have restless leg during sleep

0 of 2 variants 0%

Gastroparesia

You don't have variants for more likely to have gastroparesis

0 of 2 variants 0%

Earlybird

You don't have variants for more likely to be a night owl

0 of 2 variants 0%

Sun Tolerance

You don't have variants for more likely to tolerate the Sun

0 of 2 variants 0%
Chapter IV

The Science Behind Your Results

Peer-reviewed methodology grounded in decades of paleogenomic research

Your Neanderthal ancestry report is built on established scientific methods, comparing your DNA against authenticated ancient genomes from archaeological sites across Europe.

Reference Genomes

Analysis against high-quality Neanderthal genomes from Vindija Cave, Denisova Cave, and other authenticated sites.

4454 Variants

Comprehensive analysis of validated Neanderthal genetic markers identified through comparative genomics.

Validated Methods

Statistical algorithms based on population genetics methodologies published in leading scientific journals.

Peer-Reviewed

Built on research from Science, Nature, and Cell—the gold standard of paleogenomic scholarship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Neanderthal DNA identification involves several sophisticated methods: your DNA is compared against multiple high-quality Neanderthal genomes from fossil remains, we analyze 4454 validated genetic variants, advanced statistical algorithms identify archaic DNA patterns, and rigorous quality control ensures accuracy.

Your 3.17% means approximately 1 in every 32 DNA positions shows Neanderthal ancestry. This falls within the typical range for non-African populations (1-4%) and is above the European average of 2.1%. You inherited 567 of 4454 known Neanderthal variants.

Multiple interbreeding events occurred between 60,000-40,000 years ago as modern humans migrated out of Africa. The Middle East, Europe, and western Asia served as primary contact zones. These events fundamentally shaped the genetic makeup of all non-African populations, providing crucial adaptations for life outside Africa.

Neanderthal DNA has significant impacts on modern immune function. Benefits include enhanced pathogen recognition, improved viral response, and better adaptation to Eurasian diseases. However, some variants are linked to increased autoimmune susceptibility, allergies, and enhanced inflammatory responses. Many immune variants that cause problems today were actually advantageous when humans first encountered new pathogens outside Africa.

Chapter V

Deeper Understanding

What your results mean and how to interpret them

Understanding Your Results

Your 3.17% Neanderthal ancestry represents a significant genetic connection to our closest extinct relatives. This percentage, along with your 567 inherited variants, places you well within the typical range for modern humans and reflects the substantial genetic legacy left by Neanderthal-modern human interbreeding.

Key Takeaways
  • Substantial Heritage: You carry nearly 3% of your genome from humans who lived tens of thousands of years ago
  • Adaptive Significance: Many of these variants provided survival advantages for life outside Africa
  • Health Relevance: Your Neanderthal variants influence immune function, metabolism, and various traits
  • Population Context: Your percentage reflects typical East Asian ancestry patterns
  • Individual Uniqueness: Your specific combination of variants is unique to you and your family lineage
Your Heritage Breakdown
3.17% Neanderthal
567 variants inherited
out of 4454 identified
96.83% Modern Human

AI ASSISTANT by DNAGENICS

Enabled until 2027-02-26

This AI analysis is limited to your Neanderthal results. No additional data or personal information is included in this analysis.

Try these questions:

Chapter VI

Your Heritage Summary

A shareable snapshot of your Neanderthal genetic heritage.

Neanderthal Heritage Report

Demo Report
3.17% Neanderthal
567 Inherited Variants
8 Inherited Traits

Top Inherited Traits

#1
Straight Hair 50%
#2
Higher Height 50%
#3
Chin Dimple 50%
Comparison above the European average (2.1%)
Population Context Typical East Asian ancestry patterns
Heritage Breakdown
Neanderthal 3.17%
Modern Human 96.83%
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