parks
Prehistoric cave discoveries hint at shared culture between Neanderthals and humans
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 7, 2026
· 5 min read
By Katie Hunt, CNN
(CNN) — Ancient DNA revealed that our species, Homo sapiens, once interbred with Neanderthals, but what was the nature of those Stone Age encounters tens of thousands of years ago?
Discoveries unearthed in a cave in what’s now Turkey indicate the two groups did not merely ...
Key takeaway ” While archaeologists have known about the Üçağızlı II cave in southern Turkey for some time, the first systematic excavation began in 2020, said Baykara, a professor in the department of archaeology at Gaziantep University in Turkey.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The discovery of shared cultural traditions between Neanderthals and humans in a Turkish cave has intriguing implications for El Paso 's own rich cultural heritage. As a city situated near the Rio Grande, El Paso has long been a crossroads of different cultures, with various groups interacting and influencing one another over time. The findings in Turkey suggest that even in prehistoric times, different species were capable of exchanging ideas and practices, leading to a shared cultural landscape. This phenomenon is echoed in El Paso's own history, where Native American, Spanish, and Mexican cultures have blended together to create a unique and vibrant community. As El Paso continues to grow and evolve, the story of Neanderthals and humans sharing cultural traditions serves as a reminder that cultural exchange and diversity are fundamental aspects of human experience, and that even in the most unexpected places, different groups can come together to create something new and meaningful.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Katie Hunt, CNN
(CNN) — Ancient DNA revealed that our species, Homo sapiens, once interbred with Neanderthals, but what was the nature of those Stone Age encounters tens of thousands of years ago?
Discoveries unearthed in a cave in what’s now Turkey indicate the two groups did not merely ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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