Facial reconstruction of a ~45,000-year-old late Neanderthal woman from Corrèze, France 🧬
This reconstruction represents Grotte de la Placente 1, a female Neanderthal unearthed at Grotte de la Placente. Her remains date to ~45,000 years ago, placing her among the last Neanderthals in Western Europe.
🦴 What makes her unique
Unlike her contemporary from the same site (Grotte de la Placente 2), she did not carry the derived rs12821256 allele associated with blonde hair. However, her skull was covered in red ochre, a practice rarely documented among Neanderthals.
Researchers suggest the ochre may have been applied symbolically or cosmetically, possibly to emulate the lighter pigmentation of Grotte de la Placente 2, who carried alleles linked to blonde hair and blue eyes.
🧬 Why this challenges old assumptions
The presence of pigmentation-related alleles at this site dates back ~10,000 years earlier than the previously accepted TMRCA (~35,000 years), challenging the idea that such traits were exclusive to Homo sapiens.
🧠 Key takeaway
Late Neanderthals were genetically diverse and practiced complex symbolic behaviors right up until their final millennia.
🔍 Curious how deep your Neanderthal ancestry goes?
👉 Click the link in bio to explore your ancient DNA layers.
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Credits: @ancestral.whispers