In 1993, in the Lamalunga karst system near the town of Altamura in southern Italy, an extraordinary archaeological discovery was made: a Neanderthal skeleton, nicknamed the Altamura Man, which is estimated to be between 130,000 and 172,000 years old, was found.

The discovery was not only significant due to its age but also because of the exceptional state of preservation of the skeleton, which is embedded in speleothem formations and covered by coral-like concretions.

The Lamalunga cave system is characterized by its geological complexity, with formations of stalactites and stalagmites that have sealed the skeleton over millennia. The Altamura Man was discovered in a small, narrow cavity of the cave, which has provided a unique environment that has favored the preservation of the skeletal remains but, in turn, has greatly complicated their extraction and study.

a) Geographical location of Lamalunga Cave in southern Italy; b) Ortophoto with superimposed cave map; the blue rectangle indicates the location of the northern branch reported in c); c) three-dimensional survey of the northern branch with some of the landmarks reported in the text, identified by numbers from north to south: 1 – Abside dell'uomo; 2 – vestibule; 3 – Corridoio degli animali; 4 – Sala della iena; 5 – current entrance
a) Geographical location of Lamalunga Cave in southern Italy; b) Ortophoto with superimposed cave map; the blue rectangle indicates the location of the northern branch reported in c); c) three-dimensional survey of the northern branch with some of the landmarks reported in the text, identified by numbers from north to south: 1 – Abside dell’uomo; 2 – vestibule; 3 – Corridoio degli animali; 4 – Sala della iena; 5 – current entrance. Credit: Costantino Buzi et al.

Given the fragility of the site and the importance of the specimen, researchers chose an in situ study approach, employing advanced digital technologies to capture precise data without disturbing the environment. Between 2016 and 2020, the “KARST” project led these efforts, using virtual anthropology techniques and digital imaging equipment specifically designed for challenging underground conditions.

One of the key innovations was the digital reconstruction of the Neanderthal’s skull. Using virtual anthropology methods, researchers were able to virtually extract the skull from the speleothem formations, creating a three-dimensional model that provides a detailed view of its morphology. Additionally, radiographic and endoscopic studies were conducted to examine the internal features of the skeleton and assess its state of preservation.

The Altamura Man represents one of the best-preserved Neanderthal fossils ever discovered. Analysis of the skeleton has revealed a combination of archaic and classic morphological features, suggesting an evolutionary complexity that could redefine our understanding of Neanderthal dispersal and adaptation in Europe.

Endoscopy in the cave. a) the Olympus equipment; on the display is visible the right ear canal of the Neandertal; c) the palate was acquired by passing the probe in the small space above the palate, and displays the near-perfect preservation of the specimen, also in the more delicate bony structures; c) a vertebra stuck within the bone assemblage inside the niche, not visible from above
Endoscopy in the cave. a) the Olympus equipment; on the display is visible the right ear canal of the Neandertal; c) the palate was acquired by passing the probe in the small space above the palate, and displays the near-perfect preservation of the specimen, also in the more delicate bony structures; c) a vertebra stuck within the bone assemblage inside the niche, not visible from above. Credit: Costantino Buzi et al.

The detailed study of the specimen’s teeth showed common dental pathologies, indicating aspects of its diet and general health. Moreover, the anatomical features observed in the skeleton, such as the cranial structures and scapula, provide information about the morphological variability within the Neanderthal population.

The Altamura Man offers an unprecedented opportunity to explore the interaction between paleoecology and human evolution. Its exceptional state of preservation allows scientists to investigate the environmental conditions and ecological factors that may have influenced Neanderthal life.

The context in which the skeleton was found also raises questions about Neanderthal behavior and use of space. The arrangement of the skeleton suggests that the individual may have fallen into the cave or been placed there by other members of its group. The latter could imply some form of ritual or cultural behavior, although further research is needed to confirm such hypotheses.

a) Three-dimensional model by photogrammetry of the back chamber as seen from above. Part of the ceiling has been digitally removed to show the inside. The red rectangle indicates the position of the cranium and the right humerus, zoomed in b) model of the back of the cranium (above) and a digital model of right humerus (below) showing the relative positions of the two specimens.
a) Three-dimensional model by photogrammetry of the back chamber as seen from above. Part of the ceiling has been digitally removed to show the inside. The red rectangle indicates the position of the cranium and the right humerus, zoomed in b) model of the back of the cranium (above) and a digital model of right humerus (below) showing the relative positions of the two specimens. Credit: Costantino Buzi et al.

Despite the significant advances made in the study of the Altamura Man, the work is far from over. The research faces logistical and ethical challenges related to the conservation of the site and the potential extraction of the remains for more detailed studies.

The researchers conclude that the most recent analyses have allowed us to determine that “Altamura Man” was an adult Neanderthal showing a number of archaic morphological features common with fossils from about 200,000 years ago found in Spain and yet also showing features of the later so-called “classic” Neanderthals from 60,000-40,000 years ago. Today we can suggest with more confidence that the skeleton, although disarticulated and covered with concretions, is complete beneath the calcite layers, making it the most informative Neanderthal specimen to date.

Researchers hope that with proper planning and the necessary courage, the Lamalunga system can become a reference point in the study of human evolution and an example of how science and the community can work together to preserve paleoanthropological heritage.

SOURCES

Costantino Buzi, Marco Boggioni, et al., Virtual paleoanthropology in karstic environments. The challenging case of the Neanderthal skeleton from Altamura (southern Italy). Quaternary Science Reviews, Volume 338, 15 August 2024, 108833. doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.108833

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