Neanderthal statue and <i>H. sapiens (IMAGE) UNED National Distance Education University Caption The last Neanderthals had passed by southern Iberia quite earlier than previously thought, approximately 45,000 years ago and not 30,000 years ago as it has been estimated until recently. Researchers of the Spanish National Distance Education University participate in the dating of samples from two archaeological sites of central and southern Iberia. The new data casts doubt on the theory that sapiens and Neanderthals coexisted in Iberia during the Upper Pleistocene. Credit Neanderthal Museum (Mettmann, Germany) Usage Restrictions Image may only be used with appropriate caption or credit. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.