We are pleased to announce that our paper on Neanderthal perinatal development has now been accepted for publication. Using high-resolution microcomputed tomography, the study reconstructs fetal bone growth and deciduous tooth development in three Neanderthal juveniles from Sesselfelsgrotte, Germany.

The findings show that Neanderthal prenatal skeletal growth was broadly similar to that of modern humans, while also revealing areas of advanced long bone development and evidence of abnormal dentine mineralisation that may indicate developmental stress or systemic disorder.

Together, the study provides new insights into the evolution of human bone growth, skeletal health, and early development in our closest extinct relatives, Homo neanderthalensis.

Out soon in Royal Society Open Science!