According to a study, ancient humans and Neanderthals had sex, as many people today carry elements of Neanderthal DNA. Interbreeding between ancient humans and Neanderthals took place between 45,000 to 50,000 years ago. The ancestors of anatomically modern humans and Neanderthals diverged roughly 600,000 years ago, forming two distinct groups.
Anatomically modern humans evolved in Africa, while Neanderthals evolved in and adapted to life in Eurasia. In modern humans, genetic contributions from Neanderthals are unusually rare on the X chromosome. Little DNA from female Neanderthals ever entered the human gene pool.
Mating preferences provided the simplest explanation.
Neanderthals had more human DNA on their X chromosomes than anywhere else in their genomes. There was preferential mating between Neanderthal males and human females. The findings challenge an old assumption that natural selection is what weeded out 'toxic' Neanderthal genes on the X chromosome.
" The data do not give any insight into whose opinion mattered on the subject, or which of the parties were making the choices. The specific reasons why Neanderthal males were more attractive or less repulsive to human females remain unclear.
I’m not sure communication is necessary to know what the heart wants. Or to understand who is unappealing. Or maybe tolerable.