The Ancient Neanderthal "Altamura Man" Suffered An Unfortunate Death And Became Embedded In A Cave Wall
IFLScience • • science
Key Points:
- The Altamura Man fossil, a remarkably well-preserved Neanderthal skeleton covered in calcite formations known as "cave popcorn," was discovered in a cave where water flow contributed to its unique preservation.
- Researchers believe Altamura Man likely died after falling into a sinkhole, where he starved or dehydrated before being covered by cave popcorn, remaining undisturbed for over 100,000 years.
- Genetic and morphometric analyses confirmed the fossil as a Neanderthal dating between 128,000 and 187,000 years ago, with dental studies indicating he was an adult who lost a tooth weeks before death.
- Recent examinations of Altamura Man's nasal cavity revealed Neanderthals lacked previously assumed cold-cl
