NEW YORK (AP) – Scientists dated the bones of an ancient child that caused a sensation when they were first discovered because of its characteristics as human and Neanderthal.
The child’s remains were found 27 years ago in a rock shelter in central Portugal called Lagar Velho. The nearly complete bone was stained, and scientists thought it might have been wrapped in painted animal skins before burial.
When discovering human-like children, scientists point out that some of their properties, including body proportions and jawbones, appear Neanderthal. The researchers suggest that children are descended from the mate and mixed populations of humans and Neanderthals. It was a radical concept at the time, but advances in genetics have proved that these populations already existed – people today still carry Neanderthal DNA.
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But trying to figure out when a child lives has been difficult. Small roots have grown up from contaminants from bones and plants or other sources, making it impossible for scientists to use traditional carbon dating to measure children’s age. Instead, they dated charcoal and animal bones around the bones from about 27,700 to 29,700 years.
Technology has improved, researchers reported Friday in the Journal of Science that they were able to date bones by measuring part of proteins found primarily in human bones.
They revealed that the earlier estimate was on the court: the bones were between 27,700 and 28,600 years ago.
“Being able to successfully date a kid is like handing them a small part of their story, which is a huge privilege,” Bethan Linscott, now a research author at the University of Miami, said in an email.
She noted that the initial discovery was not just the bones—it was also the grave of a child. While dating Bones, she couldn’t help wondering who loved the children, what made them laugh, what their world looked like in the short four years they had walked across the planet.
Archaeologist Paul Pettitt of Durham University in England, who was not involved in the new research, said in an email that the study is an example of how dating methods become increasingly effective and help scientists better understand the past.
From the University of Lisbon, the study author João Jilhão said that research on the source of human beings is important.
“It’s a way to remember,” he said.
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The Associated Press Department of Health and Science has received support from the Science and Education Media Group at Howard Hughes Medical School and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. AP is responsible for all content.
