In a study published in the Journal of Human Evolution, scientists analyzed the development of adolescents during the Pleistocene period to fill gaps in knowledge about how early humans grew up.
The study examined the remains of 13 ancient people aged between 10 and 20. Scientists found special signs in the bones that made it possible to determine the stages of puberty.
According to one of the leaders of the study, paleoanthropologist April Nowell from the University of Victoria (Canada), analysis of the skeleton made it possible to draw conclusions about the onset of menstruation in girls and changes in the voice in boys.
The analysis technique was developed by Mary Lewis of the University of Reading (UK). It assesses tooth mineralization and bone maturation in the arms, elbows, neck and pelvis to determine the stage of puberty at the time of death.
The results showed that the ancient youths were quite healthy. Most entered puberty at about age 13.5 and reached maturity at ages 17 to 22, which is similar to modern adolescents in developed countries.
Source: Ferra
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