La Ferrassie 1, Neanderthal fossil site in Savignac-de-Miremont, Dordogne, France
La Ferrassie 1 is a male Neanderthal skeleton with a complete skull and brain capacity of around 1640 cubic centimeters. The remains display the typical facial features that define this ancient human species.
Scientists Louis Capitan and Denis Peyrony discovered this skeleton in 1909 inside a collapsed rock shelter in the Dordogne region. The remains are dated to somewhere between 58,000 and 50,000 years ago.
The burial shows that Neanderthals intentionally placed their dead in the ground with care and thought. Such findings suggest these people felt strong connections to those who had died.
The bone remains are housed at the Musée de l'Homme in Paris where they are studied in detail. Visitors can learn more about the finds and research results through displays and information presented there.
Medical analysis shows this skeleton suffered from a rare lung condition that caused abnormal bone growth. It is the only known Neanderthal specimen with this particular diagnosis.
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