Six strange traits that show you have Neanderthal DNA: from being a SMOKER to having straight hair
In modern humans, up to two percent of our DNA comes from our Neanderthal ancestors.
DNA from Neanderthals has small but observable effects on today's humans, dating back to an ancient period when humans and Neanderthals interbred, a genetics expert told DailyMail.com.
It is believed that modern humans who spread from Africa to Asia about 60,000 years ago interbred with Neanderthals – and that Neanderthal DNA spread with them around the world.
Speaking to DailyMail.com, genetic engineer Sebnem Unluisler says Neanderthal genes influence everything from hair to nicotine addiction in modern humans.
Do YOU have Neanderthal traits? (Getty)
Unluisler, who works at the London Regenerative Institute, said: 'Neanderthal DNA represents only a small percentage of the modern human genome, and these influences are just one piece of the genetic puzzle that makes each person unique.'
You smoke
One specific part of Neanderthal DNA significantly increases the risk of nicotine addiction – which is ironic considering Neanderthals lived in Europe for 40 millennia before tobacco first arrived.
Vanderbilt researchers say these DNA sequences may have provided Neanderthals with adaptive advantages as Neanderthals moved into new environments, but now have negative consequences, including influencing the likelihood of nicotine addiction.
The researchers also found that a number of Neanderthal DNA variants are linked to depression, psychiatric and neurological effects.
Unluisler said: 'Studies suggest a link between Neanderthal DNA and the risk of nicotine addiction. Individuals with Neanderthal ancestry may have a slightly increased risk of nicotine addiction.'
Do YOU have Neanderthal traits? (Getty)
You have thick, straight hair
Neanderthal DNA has effects on the hair of modern humans; people with thick, straight hair in particular may have Neanderthal DNA.
Unluisler said: 'Neanderthal DNA has been linked to variations in hair characteristics.
'Some people with Neanderthal ancestry may have slightly thicker or straighter hair.
'Studies have also shown that Neanderthals had a higher frequency of a genetic variant associated with red hair.'
You're an early bird
Genes passed down from ancient humans, including Neanderthals, may determine how well you can get up in the morning.
Research suggests that genes related to the body's circadian rhythm, which determines when we wake up and sleep, originated with Neanderthals.
Researchers from Vanderbilt University found that 16 variants linked to early rising in modern humans were found in genomes of a 120,000-year-old Neanderthal and a 52,000-year-old Neanderthal.
Some of these are so-called 'clock genes' linked to the Circadian rhythm – which may have helped early humans get up earlier as they moved into areas with greater variation in day length.
Unluisler says: 'Neanderthal DNA can influence circadian rhythms and sleep patterns. This may be influenced by epigenetic factors such as climate, social dynamics and light exposure. People with Neanderthal ancestry may experience variations in their sleep-wake cycle.”
You have a big nose
'High' noses from top to bottom may be inherited from genetic material from Neanderthals, according to a study by University College London.
The researchers used volunteers from across Latin America and compared genetic information with photos of their faces.
The study found that one genomic region – ATF3 – had genetic material inherited from Neanderthals, which may have been the product of natural selection as ancient humans adapted to colder climates after leaving Africa.
The researchers believe that longer noses may have helped Neanderthals adapt to the colder air outside Africa.
You suffer greatly if you get COVID-19
During the early months of the pandemic, a study found that a chromosome region inherited from Neanderthals made people more susceptible to COVID-19.
People with the region inherited from Neanderthals were more likely to have severe cases of COVID-19, including lung problems.
Further research by the University of Tartu identified four variants of Neanderthal origin believed to be responsible.
The four variants are believed to be involved in 'Cytokine storms' that occur in severe cases of COVID-19.
You have trouble getting a tan
Genes from Neanderthals may influence how easily you tan – and whether you are prone to sunburn.
2018 research by the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany compared Neanderthal DNA with DNA from 112,000 participants in the British Biobank pilot study.
The researchers observe several different Neanderthal alleles (variants in DNA) that contribute to skin and hair tones.
Unsluisler said: 'Individuals with Neanderthal ancestry may lean towards lighter or darker skin tones, with some having alleles associated with lighter skin tones that may have provided increased resistance to UV light in areas of lower sunlight intensity.'
Neanderthals, a close relative of modern humans, went extinct 40,000 years ago
Neanderthals were a close human ancestor who mysteriously went extinct about 40,000 years ago.
The species lived in Africa for millennia with early humans before moving to Europe about 300,000 years ago.
They were later joined by humans, entering Eurasia about 48,000 years ago.
Neanderthals were a cousin of humans, but not a direct ancestor (the two species split from a common ancestor) who became extinct about 50,000 years ago. Pictured is an exhibition at the Neanderthal Museum
These were the original 'cavemen', who were historically thought to be stupid and brutal compared to modern humans.
However, in recent years, and especially in the past decade, it has become increasingly clear that we are failing Neanderthals.
A growing body of evidence points to a more sophisticated and versatile species of 'caveman' than anyone ever thought possible.
It now seems likely that Neanderthals would have narrated, buried, painted, and even interbred with their dead.
They used body art such as pigments and beads, and they were the very first artists, with Neanderthal cave art (and symbolism) in Spain apparently predating the earliest modern human art by some 20,000 years.
It is believed that they hunted on land and did some fishing. However, they became extinct about 40,000 years ago after the success of Homo sapiens in Europe.