Scientists have found the first fossil evidence of Down syndrome in Neanderthals, shedding new light on the compassion our human ancestors had for vulnerable members of their groups.
Anthropologists studied the skeletal remains of a Neanderthal child nicknamed Tina, discovered in a cave in Valencia.
Excavations have revealed that a small number of people lived in the caves. Cova Negra Short periods alternate with the presence of carnivores.
“The excavations at Cova Negra are key to understanding the lifestyle of Neanderthals on the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula and have allowed us to shed light on the occupation of their settlements,” said Valentin Villaverde, co-author of the study.
Researchers from the University of Valencia in Spain and other institutions conducted a CT X-ray scan of part of the child’s skull.
The researchers assessed part of the right temporal bone, including the ear area, and reconstructed a three-dimensional model for measurement and analysis.
Research revealed that Tina had a genetic inner ear disorder known to be associated with Down’s syndrome and which causes severe hearing loss and dizziness.
Down syndrome is associated with a variety of physical and mental disabilities, including inner ear malformations.
This genetic condition has a strong impact on all stages of a child’s development, affecting both physical and cognitive development, including delays in walking and speech development.
In developed countries, medical advances have extended the average life expectancy of children with the disease to 60 years, but until 1930 it was just 9 years.
Bone remains suggest that Tina lived to at least the age of six, but likely required intensive care from other Neanderthal members of her social group.
Scientists say the findings have important implications for understanding Neanderthal behaviour.
Researchers have known for decades that Neanderthals cared for people with disabilities, but previous studies had only documented such social care for adults.
This has led some scientists to question whether Neanderthal caregiving was truly an altruistic act, or whether it was a reciprocal exchange of assistance between equals.
“What was previously unknown are cases of people receiving help even if they could not reciprocate, which proves the existence of true altruism among Neanderthals,” said Mercedes Conde, another author of the study.
Now, new research on Tina’s bone fragments suggests that Neanderthals were likely capable of caregiving, even if the possibilities for returning help were limited.
This is the first evidence that Neanderthals showed such altruistic concern for vulnerable people.
“This is an exciting study that combines rigorous archaeological excavations, modern medical imaging techniques and diagnostic criteria to document Down syndrome in Neanderthals for the first time,” said anthropologist Rolf Quam of Binghamton University.