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Cited by 112Pleistocene-Era Hominins and ArchaeologyForensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology StudiesEvolution and Paleontology Studies

The growth pattern of Neandertals, reconstructed from a juvenile skeleton from El Sidrón (Spain)

Open access
Rosas, Antonio, Ríos, Luis, Estalrrich, Almudena, Liversidge, Helen, García-Tabernero, Antonio, Huguet, Rosa, Cardoso, Hugo, Bastir, Markus +3 more·2017·Science
DOI 10.1126/science.aan6463
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Abstract

Neandertal growth patterns: The ontogeny of different parts of the Neandertal skeleton has been derived from isolated bones and fragments. Rosas et al.present a more complete skeleton of a Neandertal child, aged 7 to 8 years, from a 49,000-year-old site in northern Spain. The skeleton preserves dental, cranial, and postcranial material, allowing the assessment of dental and skeletal maturation with age. Most of the elements indicate an overall growth rate similar to that of modern human children. The main difference between Neandertals and modern humans is in the vertebral column. Also, several features indicate ongoing brain growth. The pattern of vertebral maturation and extended brain growth might reflect the broad Neandertal body form and physiology, rather than a fundamental difference in the overall pace of growth in Neandertals. Science, this issue p.1282

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

A partial juvenile Neandertal skeleton from El Sidrón, aged 7.69 years by dental histology, shows dental and most skeletal maturation within modern human ranges, but delayed atlas/mid-thoracic vertebral fusion and evidence of ongoing brain growth. The authors argue these exceptions likely reflect Neandertal physiology and ontogenetic energy constraints rather than a fundamentally different overall pace of growth.

Key findings

  • El Sidrón J1’s age at death was estimated at 7.69 years (range 7.61–7.78) from daily incremental markings in two sections of LM1; dental maturity was 71.7–72.1% complete and fell within the modern human range for all tooth types represented.
  • Skeletal age from six secondary ossification centers ranged from 6 to 10 years, with an average of 7.62 ±2 years; percentage of adult size for 53 measurements fell within (49) or very close (4) to the modern human range, and height-for-age also fell within modern human range.
  • Vertebral maturation was exceptional: the atlas and four middle thoracic vertebrae remained unfused, corresponding chronologically to younger individuals between 4 and 6 years; neurocentral synchondrosis fusion appears around 2 years later than in modern humans.
  • Endocranial volume was ~1330 cm³, ~87.5% of mean Neandertal adult endocranial volume (1520 cm³); occipital bone resorption and dural sinus/gyral imprints suggest brain growth was not yet completed and likely continued beyond the time expected in modern humans at 7.7 years.

Methods

  • The study describes a partial juvenile Neandertal skeleton from the 49 ky El Sidrón site (Asturias, Spain), with up to ~36% of the left side preserved, mixed dentition, and cranial, dental, and postcranial remains; most remains came from the G-6 1 m² grid, some in anatomical association.
  • Age at death was established by dental histology from daily incremental markings in two LM1 sections. Dental maturity was compared with modern reference samples (n=4072 and n=6829); skeletal maturity was assessed from six secondary ossification centers of the elbow, hand/wrist, and knee using established pediatric methods.
  • Vertebral maturation was assessed by staging neurocentral synchondrosis fusion and M1 development in 106 immature modern human skeletons (70 of known age and sex), with probability density functions for mean age of transition. Somatic maturation used percentage of adult size for 53 cranial, axial, and appendicular measurements compared with 11 modern human skeletons aged 6.5–8.5 years; endocranial volume and occipital bone remodeling were also assessed.

Limitations

  • Stated: ancient DNA failed to confirm sex, so male assignment relied on canine size and bone robusticity; skeletal age and percentage of adult size have limited biological resolution; the implications of later neurocentral synchondrosis fusion are unknown.
  • Stated: the specimen is a single partial juvenile skeleton, so it cannot by itself establish population-level variation.
  • Evident: comparisons depend on modern human reference samples and pediatric standards, and chronological age is estimated from one tooth (LM1), which may not represent whole-body developmental age.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1126/science.aan6463

Cites

133 of 133 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 40 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Age at death of El Sidrón J1 was estimated at 7.69 years (range 7.61-7.78) from dental histology.

    “Age at death was estimated at 7.7 years using dental histology.”
    • Also stated in: § Abstract · hedged
      “Daily incremental markings in two sections of El Sidrón J1 LM 1 (see Methods, figs.S1 and S2, ST3) were used to estimate an average age at death of 7.69 years (range 7.61-7.78).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The atlas and mid-thoracic vertebrae of El Sidrón J1 remained at the 5-6-year stage.

    “The exception was the atlas and mid-thoracic vertebrae, that remained at the 5-6-year stage.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Maturation of most elements of El Sidrón J1 fell within the expected range of modern humans at this age.

    “Maturation of most elements fell within the expected range of modern humans at this age.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    El Sidrón J1 fell well within the modern human range for all tooth types represented in probability density plots.

    “Probability density plots for mean age of transition entering each tooth stage were computed from the second sample, and El Sidrón J1 fell well within the modern human range for all tooth types represented (Fig. 2B).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Dental maturity of El Sidrón J1 was judged 71.7-72.1% complete compared with the first modern human reference sample.

    “Compared with the first sample, dental maturity of El Sidrón J1 was judged 71.7-72.1% complete.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 18
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 5

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Apart from mild linear dental enamel hypoplasia around age 2-3 years, there is no other evidence of pathology in El Sidrón J1.

    “Apart from mild linear dental enamel hypoplasia around the age of 2-3 years, there is no other evidence of pathology.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Height and weight estimates indicate El Sidrón J1 weighed ~26 kg and was ~111 cm tall at the time of death.

    “Height and weight estimates indicate he was a sturdy individual, weighing ~26 kg and ~111 cm tall at the time of death (ST2).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The El Sidrón J1 specimen has a mixed dentition of deciduous and permanent teeth and preserves cranial, dental and postcranial remains.

    “The specimen has a mixed dentition of deciduous and permanent teeth and preserves cranial, dental and postcranial remains (Fig. 1 and 2A, ST1 and 2), providing a rare opportunity to estimate an age at death from daily dental incremental markings preserved in teeth against to which compare many aspects of its dento-skeletal maturation.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Virtually all remains associated with El Sidrón J1 come from the 1 m2 G-6 square grid of the archaeological site, and several were found in anatomical association.

    “Virtually all the remains associated with this individual come from the 1 m 2 G-6 square grid of the archaeological site (ST2), importantly several of them were found in anatomical association.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The skeletal age interval of El Sidrón J1 ranged from 6 to 10 years, with an average of 7.62 ±2 years.

    “The SA interval ranged from 6 to 10 years, with an average of 7.62 ±2 years (Table S7).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The consensus endocranial volume of El Sidrón J1 is ~1330 cm3, representing ~87.5% of mean Neandertal adult endocranial volume (1520 cm3).

    “A consensus value for endocranial volume of ~1330 cm 3 (ST8) was computed, which represents ~87.5% of mean Neandertal adult endocranial volume (1520 cm 3 ).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Skeletal maturation of the El Sidrón J1 vertebral column fits the modern human observed sequence of neurocentral synchondrosis vertebral fusion but corresponds chronologically to younger individuals between 4 and 6 years.

    “Skeletal maturation (SM) of El Sidrón J1 vertebral column (fused C3-C5-C6, T1-T2 and L2-L3; unfused C1 and four middle thoracic vertebrae) fits the modern human observed sequence of NS vertebral fusion, but corresponds chronologically to younger individuals, between 4 to 6 years (Fig. 2C).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    At 7.7 years of age, El Sidrón J1 shows an I2 at the stage of alveolar eruption, an M2 at the stage of crown completion, and an M3 crypt present in the mandible.

    “At 7.7 years of age, El Sidrón J1 shows an I2 at the stage of alveolar eruption, an M2 at the stage of crown completion and an M3 crypt present in the mandible.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    In large-brained hominins like modern humans and Neandertals, an accelerated pace of brain growth coincident with accelerated somatic growth would impose a high energetic cost.

    “However, in large brained hominins like modern humans and Neandertals, an accelerated pace of brain growth, coincident with accelerated somatic growth, would impose a high energetic cost (2).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [2] source

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Developing a large brain is energetically expensive and places a constraint on somatic growth.

    “Developing a large brain is energetically expensive and places a constraint on somatic growth(2).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [2] source

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The unusually high cost of modern human brain development is greatest during the infant and childhood periods and seems to require a compensatory slowing of childhood body growth.

    “The unusually high cost of modern human brain development is greatest during the infant and childhood periods and seems to require a compensatory slowing of childhood body growth(2, 3).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [2] source

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    On average, modern humans achieve 90% of adult brain weight by 5 years old and 95% by 7 years.

    “On average, modern humans achieve 90% of adult brain weight by 5 years old (15), and 95% by 7 years (16).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [15] source

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    • cites [16] source

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  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    It is no longer possible to assume that these dental events occurred earlier at ~6 years of age, or that M2 erupted at 8 years of age, in all Neandertals.

    “It is, therefore, no longer possible to assume these events occurred earlier at ~6 years of age, or that M2 erupted at 8 years of age, in all Neandertals(18).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [18] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    A Homo erectus juvenile aged between 7.6 and 8.8 years (KNM WT 15000) shows evidence of both advanced dental development and earlier attainment of body mass and stature than is typical of modern humans of a similar age.

    “A Homo erectus juvenile aged between 7.6 to 8.8 years (KNM WT 15000) shows evidence of both advanced dental development and earlier attainment of body mass and stature than is typical of modern humans of a similar age (22,27).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [22] source

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    • cites [27] source

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    New ages at death for younger Neandertal specimens (Engis 2, Gibraltar 2, Krapina B, Obi-Rakhmat 1) fall within modern ranges, but two older specimens (Scladina and Le Moustier 1) now seem unexpectedly young.

    “As with El Sidrón J1, new ages at death(18) for younger Neandertal specimens (Engis 2, Gibraltar 2, Krapina B, Obi-Rakhmat 1) fall within modern ranges but two older specimens, Scladina and Le Moustier 1,(18, 25) now seem unexpectedly young.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [18] source

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    • cites [25] source

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    An assumed early age of initial M3 mineralization or foreshortened estimates of root formation times might explain the unexpectedly young ages of Scladina and Le Moustier 1.

    “An assumed early age, 2155 days (see page 3 in ( 18)), of initial M3 mineralization (18,25) or foreshortened estimates of root formation times(26) might explain this.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [18] source

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    • cites [25] source

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  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Variation in Neandertal dental development would have been as great as today but may generally have tended towards the more advanced end of the modern human spectrum.

    “Clearly, variation in Neandertal dental development would have been as great as today but may generally have tended towards the more advanced end of the modern human spectrum.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    The later fusion of the neurocentral synchondrosis may be related to the characteristically expanded Neandertal torso or to ongoing growth of the neuraxis.

    “While the implications of this are unknown, it may be related to the characteristically expanded Neandertal torso (36,37) or to ongoing growth of the neuraxis.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [36] source

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    • cites [37] source

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  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Late Neandertal neural growth pattern exhibits a degree of modularity relative to dental development, something also detected in gorillas.

    “Altogether these findings suggest that late Neandertal neural growth pattern exhibits a degree of modularity relative to dental development, something also detected in gorillas (38).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [38] source

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19 of 19

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Neandertals had larger average cranial capacity than modern humans.

    “Neandertals had larger average cranial capacity than modern humans, but little is known about the ontogenetic trajectories of brain and body underlying this difference.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Little is known about the ontogenetic trajectories of brain and body underlying the difference in cranial capacity between Neandertals and modern humans.

    “Neandertals had larger average cranial capacity than modern humans, but little is known about the ontogenetic trajectories of brain and body underlying this difference.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The trade-off between the different aspects of somatic and neural growth in Neandertals, particularly during the juvenile period, remains unclear.

    “Yet, the trade-off between the different aspects of somatic and neural growth in Neandertals, particularly during the juvenile period, remains unclear.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    In all hominoids, the neurocentral synchondrosis of the middle thoracic vertebrae and the atlas are the last to fuse.

    “In all hominoids the NS of the middle thoracic vertebrae and the atlas are the last to fuse, but in this Neandertal it appears that fusion occurs around 2 years later than in modern humans (or closer to M1 root closure than M1 root a quarter to half formed).”
4 of 4

Claims other papers make about this one

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Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 12

  1. E. Trinkaus R. L. Tompkins “The Neanderthal life-cycle. The possibility probability and perceptibility of contrasts with recent humans ” in Primate Life History and Evolution C. J. Derousseau Ed. (Wiley 1990) vol. 14 pp. 153–180.
  2. B. Bogin Patterns of Human Growth (Cambridge Univ. Press 1999).
  3. A. Rosas ., Paleoanthropological research of the neandertal fossils from El Sidron (Asturias, Spain). Cuaternario Geomorfol. 29, 77 (2015).
  4. Y. Dodo O. Kondo S. Muhesen T. Akazawa in Neandertals and Modern Humans in Western Asia (2002) pp. 323–338.
  5. H. Goldstein N. Cameron J. Healy M. Tanner Assessment of Skeletal Maturity and Predication of Adult Height (TW3 Method) (WB Saunders 2001).
  6. D. H. Enlow M. G. Hans Essentials of Facial Growth (WB Saunders 1996).
  7. A. Boyde “Developmental interpretations of dental microstructure” In Primate Life History and Evolution C. J. DeRousseau Ed. (Wiley 1990) vol. 14 pp. 229–267.
  8. A. Boyde in Third International Meeting in Forensic Inmunology Medicine Pathology and Toxicologoy (Excerpta Medica International Congress Series 1963) vol. 80 pp. 36–46.
  9. T. M. Smith et al . in The Scladina I-4A juvenile Neandertal (ERAUL 2014) pp. 155–166.
  10. T. Craviari, M. Sempe, F. Chotel, M. Bouchard, J. Berard, Évaluation de la maturation squelettique au niveau du coude en orthopédie. Biom. Hum. Anthropol. 19, 13 (2001).
  11. A. F. Roche D. H Thissen Skeletal Maturity: The Knee Joint as a Biological Indicator (Springer 1975).
  12. C. Martínez-Maza, A. Rosas, S. García-Vargas, Bone paleohistology and human evolution. J. Anthropol. Sci. 84, 33 (2006).

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Related

Authors
Rosas, A., Ríos, L., Estalrrich, A., Liversidge, H., García-Tabernero, A., Huguet, R., Cardoso, H., Bastir, M., Lalueza-Fox, C., de la Rasilla, M., & Dean, C.
Affiliations
  • Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (ES)
  • Queen Mary University of London (GB)
  • Paleoanthropology Group, Department of Paleobiology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN)–Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Calle José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
  • Simon Fraser University (CA)
  • Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC–Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Carrer Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
  • Área de Prehistoria Departamento de Historia, Universidad de Oviedo, Calle Teniente Alfonso Martínez s/n, 33011 Oviedo, Spain.
  • University College London (GB)
Corresponding author
  • Rosas, Antonio
  • Ríos, Luis
ORCID
Venue
Science
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Published
2017-09-22
Volume
357
Issue
6357
Pages
1282-1287
ISSN
  • 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
  • 1095-9203
DOI
10.1126/science.aan6463
OpenAlex
W2756530790
Cited by
112
References
133
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 1
FWCI
57.47
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
  • Digital Commons - University of South Florida (University of South Florida) (submittedVersion)
  • Buleria (Universidad de León) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Consultation of the Doctoral Thesis Database (TESEO) (Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • DIGITAL.CSIC (Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)) (submittedVersion)
  • Queen Mary Research Online (Queen Mary University of London) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Spanish Goverment (award314785, CGL2016-75109-P)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Anthropology › Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Archeology › Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Paleontology › Evolution and Paleontology Studies
Keywords
Neanderthals, juvenile skeletal remains, ontogeny, growth patterns, atlas vertebra, brain growth, age at death, dental histology, energy constraints, human evolution
MeSH terms
Age Factors, Animals, Brain, Biological Evolution, Skull, Spain, Thoracic Vertebrae, Tooth, Body Size, Extinction, Biological, Neanderthals

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