Enamel Study Reveals Differing Childhood Stress Patterns in Neanderthals and Early Humans

A study published in Scientific Reports has uncovered intriguing differences in the childhood stress patterns of Neanderthals and early modern humans. Researchers from an international team, led by Laura Limmer and Sireen El Zaatari, examined dental enamel from hundreds of prehistoric teeth to gain insights into the developmental challenges faced by our ancient relatives.

Methodology: Analyzing Ancient Teeth

The study involved a comprehensive analysis of 423 Neanderthal teeth from 74 individuals and 444 teeth from 102 Upper Paleolithic humans. Scientists focused on identifying horizontal grooves of thinner enamel, which are known indicators of early-life stress. These defects can be caused by various factors, including “illness, infections, malnutrition, nutritional deficiencies, and trauma.”

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Similar Stress Levels, Different Timings

While the overall likelihood of enamel defects was comparable between Neanderthals and Upper Paleolithic humans, the timing of these stress events differed significantly. For early modern humans, stress markers were more prevalent during the estimated weaning period, between one and three years of age. In contrast, Neanderthal children showed a different pattern.

“Among Neanderthals, enamel defects were more likely to begin to appear with the expected weaning period (around one year of age), before peaking during the post-weaning period (between two and four years of age) and then decreasing,” the researchers noted.

Implications for Prehistoric Childcare

The study’s findings suggest potential differences in childcare practices and survival strategies between Neanderthals and early modern humans. The authors hypothesize that the stress experienced by Paleolithic human children during weaning could be attributed to “increasing energy demands raising the risk of malnutrition.”

However, the researchers propose that Upper Paleolithic humans may have developed strategies to mitigate post-weaning stress in children. These could have included “encouraging prolonged dependence on parents, exploiting resources more efficiently, and providing children with access to food.”

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Long-term Evolutionary Consequences

The divergent stress patterns observed in the study may have had far-reaching implications for human evolution. The authors suggest that the apparent lack of similar stress-reducing strategies among Neanderthals “could have contributed to long-term survival advantages for modern humans compared to Neanderthals.”

This research not only provides a window into the lives of our prehistoric ancestors but also highlights the potential impact of childcare practices on the survival and success of early human populations.

Future Research Directions

While this study offers valuable insights, further research is needed to fully understand the complex interplay between childhood development, stress, and evolutionary outcomes in prehistoric populations. As scientific techniques continue to advance, we may gain even deeper insights into the lives and experiences of our ancient relatives.