Neanderthal Infant Amud 7 Reveals Rapid Early Growth
A remarkably complete Neanderthal infant fossil, Amud 7, dating to 51,000–56,000 years ago, shows a dental age of about 5–6 months but skeletal and brain development like a 12–14‑month‑old, revealing a rapid early growth pattern and an age paradox that appears biologically rooted; findings, based on 111 bones and published in Current Biology, suggest Neanderthal infants grew quickly and began early solid foods around five to six months, with similar patterns seen in other Neanderthal children.