Alice Roberts on how we discovered that humans interbred with Neanderthals

How DNA sequencing provided the evidence that humans and Neanderthals interbred. Watch the full programme here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06d...

[@roblloyd1879]

I was about 9 back in the middle 50s when my mother bought me a set of encyclopedias. Fascinated by prehistory and the variety of early hominins (hominids then) I became convinced by the age of 11 that the various species would have interbred at least on a small scale and maybe produced viable offspring. I was a precocious child and sexually aware so couldn't believe this would not happen. Low and behold later ancient genetics proved me right.
Perhaps because I spent so much time alone as a child as a single parent family with mother out working as a bus conductress I spent a lot of time thinking. At age 76 I still do. I see life as an experiment and am always learning, analysing and often de-bunking the, so called, experts.
For me the internet is brilliant as it gives me access to worldwide university research as well as all the disinformation and government propaganda, Yes, I'm a total geek!

[@codprawn]

I love Alice Roberts but when she did her Incredible Journey series there were a few thins I thought were wrong. She was so insistent that nobody would ever interbreed with Neanderthals. I loved the bloke's statement - you havent met my mate Barry. We all know a Barry!

[@stegemme]

but as a true scientist would, she changed her mind. You are allowed to be wrong in science ...

[@21972012145525]

I thought she did say in that doc there was interbreeding? It was known by then. More interesting to me is what was in North America pre Clovis.

[@tm43977]

Spear and Mira Finally did it In primal an adult cartoon

[@willmpet]

I had my genome done and I have Neanderthal DNA as well as Denisovan DNA!

[@bobonut]

Sam o' Nella was right!!

[@BluebirdFrank]

She’s gorgeous 😍

[@TopperPenquin]

It's true Doc, we don't really care about how smart you are

[@keithfowler2013]

Just have to look on any rugby pitch ,on any Saturday afternoon. It's not rocket science !!!!

[@1220b]

I'm part Neanderthal and would happily breed with the lovely Alice Roberts.

[@TopperPenquin]

I am Jumping Spider all over that 1