Overview

• A fossilized ear bone indicates the child had severe disabilities, including hearing loss and balance issues.
• The child survived to age six, suggesting significant care from the community.
• This discovery challenges the brutish stereotype of Neanderthals, showing their capacity for altruism.
• Researchers used advanced imaging techniques to identify the congenital malformations.
• The study adds to evidence that Neanderthals cared for their vulnerable members, similar to early Homo sapiens.