Altamura Man: A Glimpse into the Ancient World of Neanderthals
Deep within Lamalunga Cave, near the town of Altamura in southern Italy, lies one of the most extraordinary Neanderthal fossils ever discovered. Dubbed "Altamura Man," this prehistoric skeleton, estimated to be between 128,000 and 187,000 years old, remains one of the best-preserved Neanderthal specimens in history. His accidental entrapment within the limestone cave has provided scientists with an unparalleled glimpse into the lives of early hominins, shaping our understanding of Neanderthal evolution, genetics, and behavior.
The Discovery: A Stunning and Unprecedented Find
In 1993, a group of cave explorers stumbled upon something extraordinary—a human skeleton fused to the limestone walls of Lamalunga Cave. The remains appeared calcified, covered by thousands of years of miner...