Early development of Neanderthals revealed through virtual microanatomy

The ontogeny of Neanderthal (Homo neanderthalensis) perinates is poorly understood due to

the paucity of juvenile skeletal remains. Here we reconstruct fetal bone growth, and explore

deciduous tooth structures, in three Neanderthal juveniles (Sesselfelsgrotte, 1, 2 and 3)

(90,000–50,000 years ago) from southeastern Germany using non-invasive microcomputed

tomography.

Sesselfelsgrotte 1 exhibited bone tissue consistent with modern human perinatal plexiform-

like structures and primary osteons. Long bones showed regions of advanced growth

compared to the mandible and frontal bone, which can be explained through different

processes of ossification and potentially localized faster development in Neanderthals

compared to modern humans. Bone microstructure resembles that of the late third trimester of

modern humans, agreeing with previous estimates based on macroscopic data.

Sesselfelsgrotte 2 and 3 deciduous teeth retain hypodensities deep within the crown dentine

consistent with interglobular dentine.

We conclude that the fetal bone patterning is similar to modern humans with some areas of

advanced growth, indicating that the growth trajectory for this Neanderthal perinate was

broadly equivalent to that of modern humans. The abnormal dentine mineralization points

toward a possible systemic disorder