A 75,000-year-old Neanderthal skull, pieced together from over 100 bone fragments, has yielded an astonishing 3D reconstruction of a woman’s face. The discovery, made in a cave in Iraqi Kurdistan, sheds new light on Neanderthal life and burial practices.
A close-up of the reconstructed Neanderthal skull, highlighting the intricate bone structure and the challenges of piecing it together.
This remarkable glimpse into the ancient past reveals the face of a Neanderthal woman who lived 75,000 years ago, named Shanidar Z by researchers. Her facial features were painstakingly reconstructed from the unearthed skull.
“We can definitively say that she is a Neanderthal, evident from various features,” explains a researcher, pointing to the prominent brow ridge above the eyes as a distinctive characteristic. “The shape of the nose is also quite wide at the top.”
Analysis suggests Shanidar Z was likely in her mid-40s, with significantly worn teeth indicating dietary challenges. The wear and tear on her teeth suggest a diet that required significant chewing, impacting her ability to consume food effectively.
The reconstructed face of Shanidar Z, a Neanderthal woman who lived 75,000 years ago, showing distinct Neanderthal features such as a prominent brow ridge and wide nose.
Evidence of poor dental health, including infections and gum disease, further supports the theory that Shanidar Z was approaching the natural end of her life.
The skull’s discovery was remarkable in itself. Found in profile and entirely flattened into a 2cm layer, it posed a significant challenge for the research team.
Transforming the crushed skull into the 3D model we see today was a monumental task. Hundreds of incredibly fragile bone fragments had to be painstakingly pieced together, like an incredibly complex 3D jigsaw puzzle.
Archeologists carefully excavating a site, believed to be a Neanderthal burial ground, where the remains of Shanidar Z were discovered.
The cave where Shanidar Z was found, located in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, has been a site of significant archaeological interest since the 1950s. The discovery of Shanidar Z’s remains adds to a collection of at least ten individuals found in the cave.
The presence of multiple individuals, interred with care, points towards the cave being a burial site used by different Neanderthal groups over a significant period.
This discovery reinforces the growing body of evidence that Neanderthals exhibited complex social behaviors. The act of burying their dead suggests a level of empathy, care, and perhaps even ritualistic practices.
The Shanidar cave continues to offer valuable insights into the lives of Neanderthals, challenging previous assumptions and painting a more nuanced picture of this extinct human species. Evidence of tool use, fire building, and shared meals further blur the lines between Neanderthals and modern humans.
