Neanderthal babies grew faster than humans - new study

Simply put, they "matured" faster from the beginning of life.

Details

The research is based on the study of one of the best-preserved skeletons of a Neanderthal infant, Amud 7. It was found in a cave in what is now Israel.

From the teeth scientists have determined that the child was about six months old at the time of death.

But at the same time bones of hands and legs appeared to be developed as at modern children about 14 months.

That is, the body grew faster than Homo sapiens.

In total, the researchers analysed more than 100 bones and created a 3D model to estimate the child's height, weight and development.

Comparisons with other findings showed that this was not an isolated case - similar signs of rapid growth are found in other Neanderthal children.

Why it matters

Rapid growth means that the body required more energy and resources.

• This suggests that:
  neanderthals had to provide their children with good nutrition
• children became physically strong and independent more quickly
• they may have had a different survival strategy

Faster maturation in harsh climates probably provided an advantage.

Background

Neanderthals lived in Eurasia until about 40,000 years ago. They are considered the closest extinct relatives of humans.

Their development was previously thought to be broadly similar to modern humans, but new data shows important differences.

Source

The study is published in Current Biology (2026) and is based on an analysis of an infant skeleton from Amud Cave, Israel.