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 .
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 fully intact skeleton had a reddish hue, leading researchers to hypothesize that it might have been covered with an animal hide dyed red prior to being buried.
Upon discovering the human-like child, scientists observed that certain features—such as body proportions and jawbone—resembled those of Neanderthals. The research team proposed 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, however advancements in genetic research have subsequently confirmed the existence of those populations—and People nowadays still have Neanderthal genetic material within their DNA. .
However, determining precisely when the child lived has proven challenging. Tiny roots had penetrated the skeletal remains, and contamination from various sources—including vegetation—rendered conventional carbon dating ineffective for assessing the child’s age. Instead, researchers relied on radiocarbon analysis of nearby charcoal and animal bones, which indicated dates ranging from 27,700 to 29,700 years ago.
Methods have advanced, and scientists reported on Friday in the journal Science Advances that they managed to determine the age of the skeletal remains by assessing a specific protein predominantly present in human bones.
Inspecting a portion of a damaged arm, they confirmed that the previous estimation was quite accurate: the remains 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 an immense privilege," stated Bethan Linscott, a study co-author currently with the University of Miami, via email.
She observed that the initial find included 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 did not participate in the new research, commented in an email that the study demonstrates how dating techniques are improving and aiding scientists in gaining a deeper understanding of history.
Studying human origins is crucial "because we preserve pictures of our ancestors," noted study author João Zilhão from the University of Lisbon.
“He mentioned that it’s a method of recollection.”
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