A UK team of archaeologists has unveiled the reconstructed face of a Neanderthal woman, nicknamed Shanidar Z, who lived 75,000 years ago.
This discovery sheds light on this often misunderstood species and challenges the idea of Neanderthals as brutish and unsophisticated.
Shanidar Z’s remains were found in Iraqi Kurdistan in 2018, specifically her skull.
Notably, she was laid to rest in a sleeping position beneath a large stone marker, sparking questions about Neanderthal burial practices.
Interestingly, the lower part of her skeleton was likely unearthed in the 1960s, but political unrest prevented further exploration until recently.
This latest discovery adds to the growing evidence that Neanderthals may have engaged in more complex rituals than previously thought.
The positioning of multiple Neanderthal bodies in a cluster over a long period suggests a tradition of returning to the same spot for burials.
Additionally, the presence of a partially paralyzed Neanderthal found earlier at the site hints at a capacity for empathy and care within Neanderthal communities.
The well-preserved skull, considered the best Neanderthal find of the century, presented a unique challenge.
It had been crushed to a mere two centimeters thick, possibly by a rockfall. Researchers were able to painstakingly reconstruct the skull, allowing for a facial recreation and a glimpse into the life of this ancient woman.
This discovery comes at a time when scientists are re-evaluating Neanderthals. The “flower burial” theory, once proposed for the cluster of bodies, is now thought to be a result of bee activity.
However, the careful positioning of bodies and the potential evidence of care for the sick and injured suggest a more complex social structure and behavior than previously believed.
