We've now got about 10 Neanderthal specimens of around 40-50,000 years old that have yielded DNA that is clearly distinct from anyone alive today.

DNA gets everywhere. So when we're dealing with a sample and you find it's got human DNA in it - is that DNA from the fossil, or is it actually DNA from the person who unearthed it?

The discovery that early humans could have existed this far north this long ago was startling.

There are enough fossils showing distinctive features to rule out the possibility these are unusual or aberrant modern humans,

I didn’t like how my body seemed to be intent on sabotaging my brain, especially since my brain was so good at sabotaging itself.

if it’s within your power to give another person great joy at little or no expense to yourself— or even at great expense— then you should, especially when you love that person.