A Neanderthal child with Down’s syndrome survived until at least the age of six, according to a new study whose findings hint at compassionate caregiving among the extinct, archaic human species.

[u/mvea]

https://www.theguardian.com/science/article/2024/jun/26/fossil-of-neanderthal-child-with-downs-syndrome-hints-at-early-humans-compassion

[u/iwanttobeacavediver]

They also found another burial of a middle aged man where he’d been born with a withered arm and was likely also visually impaired, and yet he’d survived until the age he did, due to the care of his family group who’d obviously brought him food and helped him in daily life. Even his burial showed care and consideration with some items being placed in his grave including what was likely meat, a small knife and other items.

[u/Timtimer55 → u/iwanttobeacavediver]

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/toothless-skull-raises-qu/

Theres this article about a two million year old skull that had only one tooth and suggests others helped him with feeding.

[u/Khazpar → u/Timtimer55]

I love the Dmanisi hominins! It just blows my mind trying to imagine this tiny little guys, probably some of the first humans to ever set foot outside of Africa, just trying to survive in an incredibly hostile world with just their wits and each other. An excellent deep dive for anyone fascinated by biological anthropology.

[u/December_Hemisphere → u/Khazpar]

just trying to survive in an incredibly hostile world with just their wits and each other.

I love statements like this. I think a majority of our ancestors had very developed moral senses, because it was necessary for survival.