NEW YORK (AP)—Scientists have determined the age of an ancient child’s remains that initially garnered attention due to their combination of characteristics from both species.
humans and Neanderthals
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Twenty-seven years ago, the remains of a child were found in a rock shelter known as Lagar Velho located in central Portugal. The almost intact skeletal structure had a reddish hue, leading researchers to believe it might have been covered with an ochre-painted hide prior to being interred.
Upon discovering the human-like child, scientists observed that certain features—such as body proportions and jaw structure—resembled those of Neanderthals. They posited that this individual had ancestors who belonged to populations with these characteristics.
Humans and Neanderthals interbred and hybridized.
That was an extreme idea back then, but advancements in genetics have subsequently confirmed the existence of those populations.
People nowadays still possess Neanderthal genetic material.
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However, determining precisely when the child lived has proven challenging. Tiny roots had penetrated the skeletal remains, and contamination from vegetation or other factors rendered conventional carbon dating ineffective for assessing the child’s age. Instead, researchers relied on dating the surrounding charcoal and animal bones to an estimated period of 27,700 to 29,700 years ago.
The methods have advanced, and scientists reported on Friday in the journal Science Advances that they managed to determine the age of the skeleton by assessing a specific protein predominantly present in human bones.
Inspecting a portion of a damaged arm, they confirmed that the previous estimation was accurate: the skeleton dated back to around 27,700 to 28,600 years ago.
“Successfully dating the child felt as though we were returning a small fragment of their narrative, which is quite a significant responsibility,” stated Bethan Linscott, a study co-author currently affiliated with the University of Miami, via email.
She observed that the first find consisted of more than just a skeleton; it was also the final resting place of a young child. While determining the age of the remains, she found herself pondering over who had cherished the child, what brought joy to their life, and how they experienced the brief span of only four years on Earth.
Paul Pettitt, an archaeologist from Durham University in England who wasn’t part of this recent investigation, commented via email that the study demonstrates how improved dating techniques are enabling scientists to gain deeper insights into history.
Studying human origins is crucial “because we preserve pictures of our ancestors,” stated study author João Zilhão from the University of Lisbon.
“He mentioned that it’s a method of remembrance.”
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. However, the AP maintains full responsibility for the entire content.
