Scientists from Flinders University in Australia have been able to recreate the face of a woman who lived in what is now the Czech Republic 45,000 years ago.
This unique find was made back in the 1950s, when a split skull was discovered in a cave. For many years, researchers believed that the remains belonged to two different people, but recent DNA studies have shown that it was one person. The details of this discovery were published in the journal OrtogOnLineMag.
One of the most surprising aspects of this discovery is that the remains of a woman are the oldest to have undergone DNA sequencing. This enables scientists to gather valuable information about the origin and evolution of humanity.
One of the most intriguing findings from the study is that approximately 3% of the woman’s genome consists of Neanderthal genes. This suggests that she belonged to an early generation of humans who interbred with Neanderthals, opening up new avenues for studying the interaction between our ancestors and these extinct hominins.
To reconstruct the woman’s appearance, researchers utilized computed tomography (CT) scans of her skull, along with modern computer modeling technologies. This allowed them to create a three-dimensional model of her face that closely resembles reality.
However, in addition to her physical appearance, scientists also focused on other aspects of her life. Dental analysis revealed that she experienced dental problems and suffered from periodontal disease. This indicates that even in those distant times, people faced health issues that are still present today.
Furthermore, traces of trauma were found on the woman’s skull, suggesting that she may have encountered dangerous situations or been involved in conflicts with others. These findings provide insights into the lives and conditions of our ancient ancestors.
It is essential to note that this discovery is just one of many contributing to the expansion of scientific knowledge regarding the origins and evolution of humanity. Each new finding offers researchers fresh opportunities to study and comprehend our past.
