A 140,000-year-old child found in Israel’s Skhul Cave has changed our understanding of early humans. The discovery supports the theory that early humans and Neanderthals had a beautiful friendship, according to Prof. Israel Hershkovitz. The child’s skull morphology shows a mix of human and Neanderthal features.
The Skull of Skhul Cave
In 1932, a child skeleton was discovered in Skhul Cave, but its classification was unclear due to conflicting characteristics. Its cranium shape resembled Homo sapiens, while the lower jaw and inner ear suggested Neanderthals. The child’s skull was classified as Palaeoanthropus palestinus, a new species.
However, genetic evidence suggests that this child is not a separate species but rather a hybrid of human and Neanderthal, dating back to around 140,000 years ago. This discovery provides the earliest solid archaeological evidence of human-Neanderthal interbreeding.
The Indigenous People
Prof. Hershkovitz believes that early humans and Neanderthals coexisted in Israel for at least 100,000 years. He suggests that these two species developed social relationships and cooperated with each other.
The discovery has significant implications for our understanding of human evolution. It challenges the traditional view of humans as aggressive arch-predators, instead revealing a more complex and nuanced history of human-Neanderthal interactions.
A New Theory Emerges
Prof. Hershkovitz proposes that early humans may have encountered an unknown species, which he calls Species X. This species is believed to be ancestral to Neanderthals and may still be present in modern humans through genetic inheritance.
The Charm Offensive
According to Prof. Hershkovitz, early humans and Neanderthals developed a charming relationship, with the two populations cooperating and coexisting for 100,000 years. The discovery of human-Neanderthal hybrids provides evidence of this friendly interaction.
In contrast to the traditional view of humans as aggressive arch-predators, Prof. Hershkovitz suggests that our species’ ability to form large groups and cooperate may be key to our success. He proposes that early humans domesticated themselves, changing their behavior and physiology through self-domestication.
A New Understanding of Human Evolution
The discovery in Skhul Cave has significant implications for our understanding of human evolution. It reveals a complex and nuanced history of human-Neanderthal interactions, challenging traditional views of human aggression and competition.
Source: https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2025-08-20/ty-article/human-neanderthal-hybrid-child-from-140-000-years-ago-found-in-israels-skhul-cave/00000198-c2ba-dc9d-abd9-dbfec4560000