Remains of children with Down syndrome who lived 3,000 years ago discovered in Spain

A study carried out by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany, the University of Alicante and the Department of Archeology of the University of Turku in Finland, Remains of children with Down syndrome discovered 2500 years old. Half of them are in archaeological sites of Navarra, Spainwhere the first reported case of Edwards syndrome is also located.

The study, titled “Cases of Trisomy 21 and Trisomy 18 among Historical and Prehistoric Humans Detected from Ancient DNA,” focused on study the presence of genetic aberrations among ancient people. Trisomy 21, as the genetic disorder of the 21st pair of chromosomes is known to cause Down syndrome, was found in six children.

What matters is that three of the six babies were found in the areas of Alto de la Cruz and Las Heretas., in Navarre. Remains belong to the early Iron Age, occurring between 800 and 400 BC. S., and they were under the houses. According to the researchers, one of the children was buried with treasures under the ritual site.

Another fact that should be emphasized is that Scientists discover a case of trisomy 18 in Alto de la Cruz. The remains of an individual who died at 40 weeks of gestation represent first reported case of Edwards syndrome. According to the researchers, in all recorded finds, the burials of these people were special and corresponded to the trends of that time.

The discovery is shocking and “terrible”, according to one of the scientists

Patxuka de Miguel Ibáñez, a researcher at the University of Alicante and co-author of the study, said that The discovery was shocking.. In an interview with ConfidentiallyThe scientist noted that this could be motherhood in old age. All individuals died before or shortly after birth.although it is believed that some may have reached 16 months of age.

“Victim children [por síndrome de Down] They may have additional disorders such as congenital heart defects, lung disease, neurodevelopmental disorders, hearing loss, vitamin and nutritional deficiencies, and possible co-infections,” the researchers say. “The decision to spend more time with these people suggests parents, caregivers and perhaps a compassionate community that will not stigmatize or ignore those in need.”

The study adds that the treatment of these people in the morgue provides insight into society’s attitude towards them. They all went through rituals in which they were recognized as members of the community.and some received exceptional burials.

Babies with Down syndrome were considered special.

One of them is subject CRU024, found in a structure with a large decorated chimney on Navarre territory. CRU024, A girl seven months pregnant was buried with rich grave goods.. These included bronze rings, a Mediterranean shell and the remains of three sheep or goats.

Iñigo Olalde, a researcher at the University of the Basque Country, noted that This work is the first large-scale search for cases of Down syndrome.. The geneticist told SMC that the method would be useful for detecting cases of trisonomy in future studies of ancient DNA.

“As the DNA registry continues to grow, genetic disorders with extremely low prevalence rates may be discovered more frequently. Data discovery methods like the ones presented here will need to be developed and refined to better identify these illnesses.” concluded.