What would it be like to meet one of our closest relatives from 75,000 years ago in person? Thanks to the University of Cambridge, we now have a slightly better idea of this.
Friday May 3, 2024 at 3:16 PM
The 3D model, created by a team of ‘paleoartists’ led by Dr Emma Pomeroy, is based on a skull found in Shanidar Cave in Iraqi Kurdistan. The remains of at least ten Neanderthals – men, women and children – were excavated at that location in the 1950s.
Although the skull was probably crushed by a fallen boulder into a “biscuit” barely two centimeters thick, the researchers still managed to consolidate and reassemble the various fragments. After the rebuilt skull was scanned, a 3D print was made and given to Dutch artists Adrie and Alfons Kennis. They are known for their skill in creating anatomically accurate representations of ancient people from their bones and fossil remains.
The 3D model will also be featured in the new Netflix documentary Secrets of the Neanderthals, which examines what we know about our “cousins” that went extinct about 40,000 years ago. The image must give them a face. “I think she can help us get in touch with who the Neanderthals were,” Pomeroy said. “It is extremely exciting and a tremendous privilege to be able to work with the remains of any individual, but especially one as special as she.”
The woman in question – scientists are almost certain that she was a woman – died about 75,000 years ago, when she was probably in her mid-forties.
‘Secrets of the Neanderthals’ can now be seen on Netflix
