Ancient Skeleton of ‘Lapedo Child’ Neanderthal-and-Human Child Found

Forearm bone fragments belonging to an ancient child that appeared to have features from both humans and Neanderthals

Scientists have determined that the skeleton of an ancient child, displaying both human and Neanderthal features, dates back between 27,700 and 28,600 years.

The nearly complete skeleton, known as the ‘Lapedo Child,’ was discovered 27 years ago in a rock shelter called Lagar Velho in central Portugal. The remains were stained red, leading researchers to believe the child may have been wrapped in a painted animal skin before burial.

At the time of discovery, scientists noted that the child had physical attributes resembling both humans and Neanderthals, including body proportions and jawbone structure. This suggested the child descended from populations in which humans and Neanderthals interbred. While controversial at the time, advancements in genetics have since confirmed that such populations existed, and that modern humans still carry Neanderthal DNA.

Determining the exact age of the skeleton has been challenging. Plant roots had grown through the bones, and contamination from organic materials made traditional carbon dating unreliable. As an alternative, researchers initially dated charcoal and animal bones surrounding the skeleton, estimating it to be between 27,700 and 29,700 years old.

Using improved dating techniques, researchers have now successfully dated the skeleton itself. By analyzing a specific protein found primarily in human bones, they examined part of a crushed arm bone and confirmed that the earlier estimate was accurate, dating the remains to between 27,700 and 28,600 years ago.

One of the study’s authors, Bethan Linscott, expressed the significance of this breakthrough, describing it as a way of restoring a piece of the child’s history. The discovery was not just a skeleton but also evidence of a burial, raising questions about the child’s life, relationships, and experiences.

Archaeologist Paul Pettitt praised the research as an example of how advances in dating methods are improving scientists’ ability to study the past. Study author João Zilhão emphasized the importance of understanding human origins, comparing it to preserving the portraits of ancestors as a way of remembering history.