Neanderthal babies grew up and similarly weaned modern humans

Neanderthals behave similarly to modern humans in raising their children, whose growth rate was similar to that of Homo sapiens.

Thanks to a combination of physico-chemical and histological analysis of three Neonderthal milk teeth, the researchers were able to determine the speed of their growth and the time of onset of prevention. The teeth belonged to three different Neanderthal children living in a small area of ​​eastern Italy 70,000 to 45,000 years ago.

Teeth grow and register information in the form of growth lines – similar to tree rings – that can be read by histological techniques. Combining such data with chemical data obtained with a laser-mass spectrometer – especially in strontium concentrations -, the scientists were able to show that these Neanderthals introduced solid foods into their babies’ diet at about 5-6 months of age.

Not cultural but physical

Alicia Nava (University of Kent, UK), co-author of the work, says, “The onset of weaning is related to physiology rather than cultural factors. In modern humans, the first introduction of solid foods occurs around. The supply is needed, and it is shared by very different cultures and societies. Now, we know that even when modern humans do, Neanderthals also start weaning their babies. “

“In particular, compared to other primates,” says Federico Lugli (University of Bologna), “it is highly conceivable that the increasing demand for energy in the human brain stimulates the early introduction of solid foods. Baby food.”

Neanderthals are our closest cousins ​​inside the tree of human evolution. However, the speed of their growth and the metabolic barriers of early life are still highly debated in the scientific literature.

Says co-author Stefano Benazzi (University of Bologna), “The results of this work show the demand for equal energy vacancies during early childhood and the close pace of growth between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals. For the same weight, potentially similar pregnancy history and early life growth, and potentially shorter inter-birth intervals. ”

Home Beloved home

The three milk teeth analyzed in this study are located in a limited area of ​​northeastern Italy, between the provinces of Vicenza and Verona: in the Bruan cave, in the Fumane cave, and in the De Nadale cave. In addition to their initial diet and growth, the scientists also collected data on the regional dynamics of these Neanderthals using timed strontium isotope analysis.

“They were less mobile than suggested by other scholars,” says co-senior author Wolfgang Mલરller (Goth University Frankfurt). “The strontium isotope signature recorded in their teeth indicates the fact that they spend most of their time near their home: this demonstrates a very modern mental pattern and potential thoughtful use of local resources.”

“Despite the general cooling during the period of interest, northeastern Italy has almost always been a place rich in food, environmental variability and caves, finally explaining the existence of Neanderthals in the region about 45,000 years ago,” says Marco Peresani (University of University). Is Ferrara), co-senior author and responsible for the findings of archaeological excavations at the sites of De Nadale and Fuman.

This research has added a new part to the amazing pictures of Neanderthals, the human species is so close to us but still enigmatic. In particular, the researchers excluded that the size of the Neanderthal small population in previous genetic analysis was driven by differences in weaning age and other biocultural factors that led to their deaths.

This will be further explored in the framework of the ERC project success (early migration of Homo sapiens in Southern Europe – understanding the biocultural processes that define our uniqueness), led by Stefano Benazzi at the University of Bologna.