Down Syndrome Found in Neanderthal Bones

Bones reveal first evidence of Down syndrome in Neanderthals

https://www.science.org/content/article/bones-reveal-first-evidence-down-syndrome-neanderthals

By Andrew Curry

More than 146,000 years ago, a Neanderthal child with Down syndrome lived to about age 6, as discovered from bones found in Cova Negra, Spain. The inner ear bones of the child showed anomalies similar to those in people with Down syndrome today. This discovery, reported in Science Advances, suggests that Neanderthals cared for their vulnerable members. High-resolution scans revealed the child’s condition, providing insights into Neanderthal society and their capacity for empathy and care.