If the Neanderthals are not the direct ancestors of humans, is it still possible for humans and Neanderthals to be related?

Options

A. Yes, because we share a common ancestor
B. Yes, but only if humans and Neanderthals could have interbred
C. No, because the human evolutionary tree is strictly linear and without branches
D. No, because this means that Neanderthals evolved from an entirely different branch of organisms than humans did

Answer

A