Archaeologists have found the skeleton of a Neanderthal
Scientists from the University of Cambridge have found a detailed preserved Neanderthal skeleton in a cave in Kurdistan. The skeleton allows researchers to extract and study its DNA.
Archaeologists have discovered a skeleton in the Shanidar cave in Kurdistan. They note that at different times in the same place they managed to find a dozen fragmentary bones of Neanderthals, but they were stored in conditions that destroyed them. This time, the skeleton allows researchers to determine the age and habitat of the Neanderthal.
Anthropologists suggest that the remains are about 70 thousand years old. His teeth indicate that he died in middle age. Archaeologist Graham Barker of the University of Cambridge emphasized that there is plenty of early evidence that the remains were deliberately buried.
“Because of the well-preserved skeleton, we can use modern technology to study DNA and remains. In addition, we will be able to determine whether their burial rite looked like a modern one,” he said.
An initial scan of a Neanderthal skull has already shown that the densest bone that can hold DNA has survived and there is a chance to conduct more in-depth studies. Scientists note that finding a skeleton of such safety is "great luck."
Archaeologists have discovered a skeleton in the Shanidar cave in Kurdistan. They note that at different times in the same place they managed to find a dozen fragmentary bones of Neanderthals, but they were stored in conditions that destroyed them. This time, the skeleton allows researchers to determine the age and habitat of the Neanderthal.
Anthropologists suggest that the remains are about 70 thousand years old. His teeth indicate that he died in middle age. Archaeologist Graham Barker of the University of Cambridge emphasized that there is plenty of early evidence that the remains were deliberately buried.
“Because of the well-preserved skeleton, we can use modern technology to study DNA and remains. In addition, we will be able to determine whether their burial rite looked like a modern one,” he said.
An initial scan of a Neanderthal skull has already shown that the densest bone that can hold DNA has survived and there is a chance to conduct more in-depth studies. Scientists note that finding a skeleton of such safety is "great luck."
