A newly discovered Neanderthal fossil, named Thorin, was found in the Rhônes Valley, France, revealing a unique lineage that diverged from other Neanderthals around 100,000 years ago. Published in Cell Genomics, the study shows Thorin lived 42,000-50,000 years ago in an isolated community, highlighting distinct evolutionary paths among Neanderthals and prompting a reevaluation of their extinction and social dynamics.