Neanderthal woman's face reconstructed after being found in Iraqi cave

The face of a 75,000-year-old Neanderthal woman, excavated in 2018 from an Iraqi cave, has been recreated by University of Cambridge archaeologists. Named Shanidar Z, her remains suggest Neanderthals repeatedly used this site in Iraqi Kurdistan for burials, indicating complex emotional and social behaviors.

Analysis revealed that Shanidar Z was a 5-foot-tall woman in her mid-40s. Her skull, reconstructed from over 200 fragments, suggests potential interbreeding with humans, as noted by differences in facial features compared to typical Neanderthal skulls. This discovery adds to evidence that modern humans carry Neanderthal DNA.

The excavation and reconstruction process involved meticulous scanning and assembling of skull fragments, followed by a detailed 3D printing and artistic reconstruction to visualize her appearance. This work underscores a reevaluation of Neanderthal society, suggesting they had sophisticated burial practices and care for their dead.