Puberty in Ice Age Adolescents: Insights into Ancient Growth Patterns
New research reveals that teens from 25,000 years ago underwent puberty stages similar to modern-day adolescents, offering a unique perspective on human evolution during the Ice Age.
Ice Age Adolescents and Human Growth Patterns
In a new study published in the Journal of Human Evolution1, researchers have revealed new insights into the puberty stages of Ice Age adolescents from 25,000 years ago. The study fills a gap in the understanding of how early humans matured, showing that these ancient teenagers experienced puberty much like modern-day adolescents, reaching key developmental milestones at similar ages.
The Research & Discovery
The research, co-led by paleoanthropologist April Nowell from the University of Victoria (UVic), examined the bones of 13 young humans aged between 10 and 20 years. By identifying specific markers in the skeletal remains, the researchers were able to determine the different stages of puberty these individuals had undergone before their deaths. Nowell explained,
“By analyzing specific areas of the skeleton, we inferred things like menstruation and the breaking of the voice.”
These biological indicators allowed the team to make informed conclusions about the physiological changes these individuals were experiencing as they transitioned from childhood to adulthood.
Advanced Techniques to Study Ancient Puberty
The study utilized cutting-edge methods developed by Mary Lewis, from the University of Reading, to evaluate the developmental stages of ancient human remains. Lewis’s technique involved examining the mineralization of the canines, as well as the maturation of key bones in the hand, elbow, wrist, neck, and pelvis. This allowed the researchers to estimate the exact puberty stage of each individual at the time of death. Lewis noted,
“This is the first time my puberty stage estimation method has been applied to Paleolithic fossils.”
Additionally, it marked the earliest known application of peptide analysis, which helped identify the biological sex of the individuals studied.
Health and Growth Patterns of Ice Age Adolescents
Contrary to the long-standing notion that life during prehistory was harsh and short, the study revealed that Ice Age adolescents were relatively healthy and experienced normal growth patterns. Most of the individuals examined entered puberty around the age of 13.5, with full adulthood reached between 17 and 22 years of age. These findings show that puberty in these ancient populations occurred at roughly the same time as it does in modern adolescents from affluent societies. Nowell said,
“It can sometimes be difficult for us to connect with the remote past, but we all went through puberty, even if we experienced it differently. Our research humanizes these teens in ways that go beyond just studying their tools or artifacts.”
The Case of “Romito 2”: A Unique Perspective on Ice Age Puberty
One particularly significant find among the 13 skeletons was “Romito 2,” an adolescent male believed to have had a form of dwarfism. This individual, already known for his unique condition, provided further insights into what Ice Age puberty might have looked like. Based on the new analysis, it is believed that Romito 2 was midway through puberty at the time of death. His voice would have deepened, and he likely could have fathered children, yet his physical appearance still resembled that of a child due to his condition.
Jennifer French, an archaeologist from the University of Liverpool and co-author of the study, emphasized that this research sheds new light on how such individuals may have been perceived within their communities. French explained,
“The specific information about physical appearance and developmental stage provides a new lens through which to interpret their burials and treatment in death.”
The Broader Implications of the Study
This research marks a significant advancement in understanding how ancient humans grew and developed. The collaboration between institutions from around the world, including UVic (Canada), University of Reading and University of Liverpool (UK), and universities in Italy and Monaco, has created a comprehensive picture of the lives of Ice Age adolescents.
Looking forward, the researchers plan to continue their investigations into the social roles of Ice Age teenagers, particularly how their developmental stages might have influenced their status and responsibilities within their communities.
Conclusion: Humanizing the Past
The new research into Ice Age puberty offers a rare glimpse into the lives of ancient humans, making their experiences more relatable to modern humans. By connecting with universal experiences such as puberty, the study not only enriches our understanding of human evolution but also highlights the shared biological journey that links past and present.
As Nowell aptly put it,
“Studying puberty helps us to humanize these early humans in ways that other aspects of archaeology may not. This research brings us closer to understanding them as individuals navigating life stages much like we do today.”
Supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and Nowell’s Lansdowne Fellowship Award, this work represents a major contribution to the study of human development during the Ice Age, offering fresh perspectives on the evolutionary history of adolescence.
Lewis, M. E., French, J. C., Rossoni-Notter, E., Notter, O., Moussous, A., Sparacello, V., Boschin, F., Ricci, S., & Nowell, A. (2024). An assessment of puberty status in adolescents from the European Upper Paleolithic. Journal of Human Evolution, 103577, 103577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2024.103577