Neandertal kids were a lot like kids today — at least in how they grew
Skeleton from almost 8-year-old shows that growth of the child’s brain, spine lagged a bit
![partial Neandertal skeleton](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/092217_BB_neandertal_child_main_ALT.jpg?fit=860%2C460&ssl=1)
GROW UP A Neandertal’s partial skeleton found in Spain comes from a 7.7-year-old child who grew at a rate much like that of youngsters today, scientists report. However, the ancient youngster displays relatively slow backbone and brain development in comparison with present-day kids.
Paleoanthropology Group MNCN-CSIC