(CNN) — A remarkable discovery has shed new light on the lives of Neanderthals, ancient humans who disappeared about 40,000 years ago. A Neanderthal woman, known as Shanidar Z, was found buried in a cave in Iraqi Kurdistan 75,000 years ago, with her left hand curled under her head and a rock serving as a cushion.
Scientists painstakingly reconstructed the woman’s skull from 200 bone fragments over a nine-month period. The detailed reconstruction forms part of the new documentary “Secrets of the Neanderthals,” produced by the BBC for Netflix and set to stream later this week.
Dr Emma Pomeroy, a paleoanthropologist who unearthed the skeleton and appears in the film, explained that Neanderthals had distinct features such as pronounced eyebrow ridges and no chin. However, Shanidar Z’s facial reconstruction suggests that these differences may not have been as pronounced as previously believed.
Further analysis revealed that Shanidar Z was about 40 years old at the time of her death. Researchers determined her height to be 1.5 meters by comparing the length and diameter of her arm bones with data from modern humans.
The cave where Shanidar Z was buried, known as Shanidar Cave, has been a treasure trove for archaeologists. Despite previous theories suggesting Neanderthals buried their dead with flowers, recent research casts doubt on this idea. Instead, scientists suspect that pollen discovered among the graves could have been brought in by pollinating bees.
The discoveries at Shanidar Cave indicate a level of intelligence, sophistication, and empathy among Neanderthals. While they may not have buried their dead with bouquets, there is evidence of care for individuals with disabilities, suggesting a compassionate species.
The reconstruction of Shanidar Z’s skull, described as a “high-level 3D puzzle” by Dr. Pomeroy, helped researchers bridge the gap between anatomy and the distant past. The detailed process involved reconstructing over 200 skull fragments to reveal the Neanderthal woman’s face.
As more discoveries are made at Shanidar Cave, researchers hope to uncover more insights into the lives and behaviors of Neanderthals, shedding new light on these ancient human relatives.