Neanderthal babies were surprisingly large and grew more quickly than modern human children. A team of scientists from Israel and Europe recently examined the remains of a six-month-old Neanderthal child buried in Northern Israel about 51,000 to 56,000 years ago. Their findings were published in Current Biology.
This Neanderthal baby was found to be about the size of a one-year-old human. Its thicker bones and larger skull suggested it was older, but the development of its teeth revealed its true age. Ella Been, a professor at Tel Aviv University and the study’s lead author, said, “I believe that the histological age of the teeth is more accurate than age measured by the volume of the long bones or the endocranial cavity.”
Previous research indicated that Neanderthal children had sturdier bones than kids today. Fully grown Neanderthals were typically stockier and shorter than modern humans. “Faster body and brain growth suggests greater energy expenditure,” Been explained. Understanding this growth pattern is crucial to fathoming how Neanderthals adapted to their harsh environments.
Interestingly, this baby was discovered among about 20 other Neanderthals in the 1960s, but detailed studies only began in the 1990s. The new paper marks the first thorough examination of this child’s recovered bones.
The differences between Neanderthals and modern humans are striking. They lived between 400,000 and 40,000 years ago during much harsher conditions. Natural selection favored healthier, well-built offspring who could mature quickly. However, it’s notable that Neanderthals and humans shared more than just space. Evidence shows that they interbred, and traces of Neanderthal DNA can still be found in modern humans today. This shared history highlights a complex relationship between the two species.
In conclusion, the discovery of this Neanderthal baby adds both depth and clarity to our understanding of early human relatives. As we continue to unveil their mysteries, we gain insights into our own evolutionary journey.
