An ancient child’s skeleton, discovered 27 years ago in Lagar Velho, a rock shelter in central Portugal, has provided new insights into human history. The nearly complete skeleton was found stained red, suggesting it may have been wrapped in a painted animal skin before burial. When it was first discovered, some features of the child, such as body proportions and the shape of the jawbone, appeared to have Neanderthal characteristics. This discovery led scientists to propose that humans and Neanderthals may have interbred. Advances in genetics have confirmed that humans today still carry Neanderthal DNA. The exact age of the skeleton was difficult to determine at first, due to contamination and the growth of roots through the bones, which hindered traditional carbon dating methods.

Recently, scientists used advanced techniques to successfully date the child’s remains. Researchers were able to measure a protein found in human bones, revealing that the child lived between 27,700 and 28,600 years ago. This new dating method has improved the accuracy of the timeline. According to Bethan Linscott, a study author, dating the skeleton was an important step in uncovering a piece of the child’s history. The research provides valuable information on human evolution and the interaction between humans and Neanderthals. Archaeologist Paul Pettitt highlighted that this study demonstrates how new dating methods are advancing the understanding of our past. João Zilhão, a study author, remarked that studying human origins is essential for remembering the past, just as people remember their ancestors through portraits.