A remarkable discovery has been made in eastern Spain, where fossils of a Neanderthal child, estimated to be around six years old, have been found to exhibit traits indicative of Down syndrome. The fossils, particularly the skull, reveal inner ear anatomy associated with this genetic condition. This finding sheds light on the communal caregiving and compassion that Neanderthals likely extended to children with congenital pathologies, suggesting a level of altruism in their social structure. The discovery, dating back more than 145,000 years, provides new insights into the lives and social behaviors of Neanderthals. This is the first case of Down syndrome identified among Neanderthals.
The child who lived: Down syndrome among Neanderthals? “We present the case of a Neanderthal child who suffered from a congenital pathology of the inner ear, probably debilitating, and associated with Down syndrome” https://t.co/Vy3ocZ3vNA
Fossils from the skull of a Neanderthal child that likely had Down syndrome shed light into the communal caregiving that likely aided in the child's survival. https://t.co/fHPa6Pidug
Living among a small band of Neanderthals in what is now eastern Spain was a child, perhaps six years old, with Down syndrome, as shown in a remarkable fossil, preserving traits in the inner ear anatomy indicative of this serious genetic condition https://t.co/EzxPwZXRj7 https://t.co/f3p8Z8kwP1
Fossils from the skull of a Neanderthal child that likely had Down syndrome shed light into the communal caregiving that likely aided in the child's survival. https://t.co/ywdqgXB9RS
Fossil of child with Down syndrome hints at Neanderthal compassion https://t.co/ShnNn6gdJa https://t.co/QgJxl1OujV
Fossils reveal Neanderthal altruism for children with Down’s syndrome ⛏️💀 https://t.co/bOVde446F4
First case of Down syndrome among Neanderthals discovered in six-year-old child who lived more than 145,000 years ago https://t.co/sycFZAh59f https://t.co/optqlEFQI5