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Rare Neanderthal baby remains reveal growth patterns similar to modern humans and signs of metabolic disease
Archaeology News Online Magazine • • health
Key Points:
- Tiny Neanderthal bones and baby teeth dating from 90,000 to 50,000 years ago were recovered from Sesselfelsgrotte cave in Germany, offering rare insights into Neanderthal prenatal and early childhood growth.
- High-resolution micro-computed tomography revealed bone microstructures indicative of rapid growth, closely resembling modern human fetal development in the final trimester.
- Differences in growth rates were observed between long bones and cranial bones, suggesting varied developmental patterns, though overall growth was similar to that of modern humans.
- Analysis of baby teeth uncovered interglobular dentine, a defect linked to mineralization problems such as vitamin D or calcium deficiencies, marking the oldest evidence of metabolic bone disease in Neanderthals.
- These findings provide new understanding of Neanderthal childhood health and development, with future research aimed at clarifying the causes of the dental defects and their implications.
