"Tragic Fate of Altamura Man: Embedded in Cave Wall"

The fossilized skeleton of Altamura Man, a Neanderthal who died between 128,000 and 187,000 years ago, was found embedded in a cave wall in southern Italy in 1993. The remains were covered in "cave popcorn," indicating a wet environment, and likely collapsed where they were found after the man fell into a sinkhole and died of starvation or dehydration. Further analysis of the man's teeth suggests he was an adult at the time of his death and had lost a tooth a few weeks prior.