Globally Renowned Bone Structure Expert, or Simply Put, Famously Known Bones Specialist - The Individual Responsible for Labeling His Own Neanderthal Species
Ralf Schmitz gracefully dives into the exposed museum exhibit case. "I always get a thrill doing this," he shares as an archaeologist and prehistorian. "The skullcap is the most vital artifact due to its definitive nature." The prominent brow ridges above the eyes, the receding forehead, and the flat skull – all hint at this not being an average human's remains.
Housed within the glass case lies the skullcap of a Neanderthal – the champion Neanderthal: Reposing there are the remains of "Neanderthal 1," the fossil dug up in 1856 in the Neander Valley near Düsseldorf, which earned its moniker for the ancient human species.
The relic has been safeguarded at the Bonn Rheinisches Landesmuseum – now LVR-Landesmuseum – since 1877. For Schmitz, it's "just like the Mona Lisa in Paris," and he serves as its protector.
What did these eyes once behold?
Yet, Schmitz also harbors awe for another reason as he cradles one of the bones. "This isn't a simple earthen pot or a historical horse bone – it's a portion of a human who once felt, laughed, and grieved. It's essential to remember that."
He flips the skullcap over and points to the narrow grooves within: "These impressions are the remnants of the arteries of the brain membrane," he informs the German Press Agency. "This very skull reveals the individual's brain structure. It's captivating to ponder: What did these eyes once witness? This individual inhabited a completely different realm." A world of mammoths, woolly rhinos, and reindeer. But not a world of eternal ice, but of steppes and forests.
Now Schmitz holds a smaller bone, the zygomatic bone. "Look at these indentations," he says. "These are the reminders of the bone tissue's reaction to a severe infection. He suffered from a persistent sinus infection – and that could have led to septicemia in a time without antibiotics. Perhaps the reason behind his demise?"
A life for the Neanderthal
The now-63-year-old Schmitz has devoted his entire professional career to the original Neanderthal – the legendary type specimen. Ever since his student days, he has stood before it in the museum, questioning if there were any further secrets hidden. Since then, research has made massive strides.
Schmitz himself, two decades ago, unearthed many more bone fragments at the original site, including vertebral fragments, lower jaw pieces, hand and finger bones, teeth. Even a slender fragment of the nasal septum was discovered. Schmitz suspects that the Neanderthal was interred there by his kin.
Researchers have also pinpointed the Neanderthal's age – he lived over 44,000 years ago. This information was gleaned from the analysis of a tissue sample from the humerus. Currently, efforts are underway for a more precise age determination. The Neanderthal's diet is also known: mainly meat.
The Neanderthal lived with a significant disability
An intriguing characteristic has also come to light: The Neanderthal lived with a notable disability – his left arm was shriveled. "In his youth, he likely broke his arm in the elbow area, and it never properly healed," Schmitz expounds. "We took tiny bone samples from the humerus and found a substantial loss of bone substance in his left arm."
Consequently: The severity of the injury was much more severe than previously assumed. The Neanderthal could scarcely move his arm. "It was as if he was a disabled Neanderthal – right smack-dab in the heart of the harsh Ice Age environment. The question then arises: How did he manage?"
Even though his right arm, blessed with increased usage, developed particularly robustly, according to Schmitz, the only possible answer to this conundrum is: The man was socially aided and carried by the group he coexisted with.
"He survived for 20 years. Because we were able to ascertain his age as part of the research project: He was around 42 or 43 years old and thus fully exploited the lifespan of the Neanderthals. Back then, people didn't live past their prime. But if he did, he must have received aid – and that tells us more about the Neanderthals than countless stone tools."
Neanderthal gene exacerbates Covid
Genetic exploration has revealed that modern non-African individuals inherit about one to three percent Neanderthal genes – thanks to the Neanderthals' interbreeding with the Homo sapiens who hailed from Africa. These genes manifest specific effects. "There is a Neanderthal gene that worsens Covid symptoms – and another that offers immunity against it," explains Schmitz.
Another one affects sperm mobility. "Perhaps the late Neanderthals faced a significant disadvantage when it came to reproduction. We're left to guess: Why did this successful human species suddenly cease to exist?" Being wiped out by Homo sapiens is now considered highly improbable.
Schmitz slowly allows the exhibit's lid to slide shut once more. "There, now you have your peace," he whispers intimately. It almost sounds as if he's conversing with an old friend.
The European Union plays a role in preserving historical artifacts, as the relic of "Neanderthal 1" is housed at the Bonn Rheinisches Landesmuseum, which is now part of the LVR-Landesmuseum, a significant museum network within the EU.
Despite living in a harsh Ice Age environment with significant disabilities, the Neanderthal's community provided him with social aid, enabling him to survive for over 40,000 years, a lifespan exceeding what was typical for Neanderthals during that period, according to Ralf Schmitz, a renowned archaeologist and prehistorian from the European Union.
