In 1998, archaeologists unearthed the skeleton of a child in the Lagar Velho rock-shelter, nestled in the Lapedo Valley of central Portugal. This discovery, known as the Lapedo child, revealed a fascinating blend of Neanderthal and human characteristics. Recent advancements in dating techniques have shed new light on the age and significance of this hybrid individual's remains. Researchers employed a novel method called compound-specific radiocarbon analysis (CSRA) to redate the Lapedo child's skeleton, revealing that the child lived between 25,830 and 26,600 B.C., thousands of years earlier than previously thought.
The initial discovery of the Lapedo child posed a significant challenge to archaeologists, as its skeletal features suggested a mix of Neanderthal and human traits. This hybrid nature was not immediately accepted, with some questioning the interpretation of the site. Moreover, four prior attempts using traditional radiocarbon-dating methods faced issues of poor preservation and methodology. These earlier methods could only provide a broad time frame of 20,000 to 26,000 years before present, which left significant room for doubt.
Innovative Dating Methods
The recent use of compound-specific radiocarbon analysis (CSRA) has revolutionized the understanding of the Lapedo child's timeline. Unlike traditional methods, CSRA is highly effective at eliminating contamination from archaeological bones.
"The key benefit of compound-specific radiocarbon dating is that it is extremely efficient at removing contamination from archaeological bones," – Bethan Linscott
This innovative technique was applied to redate three key elements assumed to be part of the burial ritual: a young rabbit, red deer bones, and charcoal found beneath the child's legs. The results were surprising. While the rabbit bones were contemporaneous with the Lapedo child, both the charcoal and red deer bones were much older and likely predated the burial.
The presence of a rabbit atop the shrouded body suggested it was placed as an offering before the grave was filled approximately 28,000 years ago. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the burial ritual and highlights the importance of precise dating methods in archaeological research.
Implications of New Findings
The redating of the Lapedo child's remains has profound implications for understanding burial rituals and site utilization during this period. The revised timeline suggests that the site was abandoned for at least two millennia following the child's burial. This long period of disuse may indicate that the death of the child marked the area as sacred or taboo.
"The death of the child may have triggered a declaration of the place as taboo or as unsuitable for mundane hunting activities, leading to people avoiding it until such time as the event faded from social memory," – João Zilhão
This newfound understanding also contributes to broader discussions about how Neanderthals and Homo sapiens interacted and coexisted in prehistoric Europe. The hybrid nature of the Lapedo child offers insights into this complex relationship, even without direct genetic evidence.
"While we do not have any genetic evidence from Lagar Velho, providing additional confirmation on the basis of morphology, how the process of replacement of Neanderthals by Homo sapiens may have played out," – Adam Van Arsdale
A New Chapter in Archaeological Research
The application of CSRA to redate ancient sites has opened new avenues for archaeological research, particularly in cases where modern carbon contamination has affected ancient samples. This method has already been successfully implemented at other Neanderthal sites, demonstrating its potential to refine historical timelines.
The Lapedo child remains a significant find, offering a unique glimpse into human evolutionary history. Its rediscovery through advanced scientific techniques underscores the dynamic nature of archaeological research and our ever-evolving understanding of the past.
