Summary: A new study documents the first case of Down syndrome in a Neandertal child named “Tina,” found in Spain. Despite severe hearing loss and vertigo, Tina survived to at least 6 years old, indicating she received extensive care from her group. This discovery highlights the Neandertals’ capacity for altruistic behavior.
Key Facts:
- First Case: Documented instance of Down syndrome in a Neandertal.
- Care Evidence: Neandertals provided extensive care for Tina.
- Research Techniques: Used micro-CT scans to analyze and diagnose the condition.
Source: Binghamton University
A new study published by an international multidisciplinary team of researchers including faculty at Binghamton University, State University of New York, documents the first case of Down syndrome in Neandertals and reveals that they were capable of providing altruistic care and support for a vulnerable member of their social group.
The research, led by anthropologists at the University of Alcalá and the University of Valencia in Spain, studied the skeletal remains of a Neandertal child, whom they affectionately named “Tina”, found at Cova Negra, a cave in Valencia, Spain long known for yielding important Neandertal discoveries.
“The excavations at Cova Negra have been key to understanding the way of life of the Neandertals along the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula and have allowed us to define the occupations of the settlement: of short temporal duration and with a small number of individuals, alternating with the presence of carnivores,” said University of Valencia Professor of Prehistory Valentín Villaverde.
The researchers made micro-computed tomography scans of a small cranial fragment of the right temporal bone, containing the ear region, to reconstruct a three-dimensional model for measurement and analysis. Tina suffered from a congenital pathology of the
inner ear associated with Down syndrome that produced severe hearing loss and disabling vertigo. This individual survived to at least 6 years of age, but would have required extensive care from other members of their social group.
“This is a fantastic study, combining rigorous archaeological excavations, modern medical imaging techniques and diagnostic criteria to document Down syndrome in a Neandertal individual for the first time. The results have significant implications for our understanding of Neandertal behavior,” said Binghamton University Professor of Anthropology Rolf Quam.
Researchers have known for decades that Neandertals cared for disabled individuals. However, to date, all known cases of social care among Neandertals involved adult individuals, leading some scientists to discount this as truly altruistic behavior and instead to suggest it more likely represented reciprocal exchange of help between equals.
“What was not known until now was any case of an individual who had received help, even if they could not return the favor, which would prove the existence of true altruism among Neandertals. That is precisely what the discovery of ‘Tina’ means,” said Mercedes Conde, professor at the University of Alcalá and lead author of the study.
About this evolutionary and social neuroscience research news
Author: John Brhel
Source: Binghamton University
Contact: John Brhel – Binghamton University
Image: The image is credited to Science Advances
Original Research: Open access.
“The child who lived: Down syndrome among Neandertals?” by Valentín Villaverde et al. Science Advances
Abstract
The child who lived: Down syndrome among Neandertals?
Caregiving for disabled individuals among Neanderthals has been known for a long time, and there is a debate about the implications of this behavior.
Some authors believe that caregiving took place between individuals able to reciprocate the favor, while others argue that caregiving was produced by a feeling of compassion related to other highly adaptive prosocial behaviors.
The study of children with severe pathologies is particularly interesting, as children have a very limited possibility to reciprocate the assistance.
We present the case of a Neanderthal child who suffered from a congenital pathology of the inner ear, probably debilitating, and associated with Down syndrome.
This child would have required care for at least 6 years, likely necessitating other group members to assist the mother in childcare.
