The child who lived: Down syndrome among Neanderthals?

• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn9310
• Publication Date: 2024-06-26T18:00:22Z
• Authors: Mercedes Conde-Va...; Amara Quirós-Sánchez; Julia Diez-Valero; Nieves Mata-Castro; Alfredo García-Fe...; Rolf Quam; José Miguel Carre...; Rebeca García-Gon...; Laura Rodríguez; Ángeles Sánchez-A...; Juan Luis Arsuaga; Ignacio Martínez; Valentín Villaverde
• Keywords: Male; Antropología; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Congenital pathology; Anthropology; Child, Preschool; Inner ear; Social and Interdisciplinary Sciences and Public Health; Humans; Animals; Female; Down Syndrome; Disabled individuals; Child; Neanderthals

Caregiving for disabled individuals among Neanderthals has been known for a long time, and there is a debate about the implications of this behavior. Some authors believe that caregiving took place between individuals able to reciprocate the favor, while others argue that caregiving was produced by a feeling of compassion related to other highly adaptive prosocial behaviors. The study of children with severe pathologies is particularly interesting, as children have a very limited possibility to reciprocate the assistance. We present the case of a Neanderthal child who suffered from a congenital pathology of the inner ear, probably debilitating, and associated with Down syndrome. This child would have required care for at least 6 years, likely necessitating other group members to assist the mother in childcare