Neanderthal evolution in Spain ‘just like Game of Thrones’, scientists say

THE survival of humans and Neanderthals mirrors the Game of Thrones saga, say scientists who have discovered a hoard of ancient skulls.

THE evolution of humans and Neanderthals mirrors the Game of Thrones saga, scientists say, following analysis of 430,000-year-old skulls found in a Spanish cave.

Palaeontologists discovered 17 skulls at the “Pit of Bones” (Sima de los Huesos) cave which feature both Neanderthal-derived features and the physical traits of more primitive humans.

The fossil collection reveals how Neanderthals — modern man’s stumpy-looking, thick-boned, and big-nosed sister species — developed their teeth before their brains, using them to hold objects.

The new study adds to theories that the Neanderthals evolved their characteristic looks slowly over hundreds of thousands of years.

“These are the earliest Neanderthals. They can tell us a great deal about the evolution of Neanderthals, and by comparison, about modern humans,” study leader Juan Luis Arsuaga from the University of Madrid said, according to National Geographic.

“What I have been telling people is that it was like Game of Thrones. There were a few spread-out populations, some related, some not, emigrating or going extinct over time. And winter was always coming.”

Like something from beyond GoT’s great wall ... an early Neanderthal skull uncovered from the Sima de los Huesos cave in Spain. Picture: Madrid Scientific Films

The discovery the skulls, along with the bodies of 28 humans, does not dramatically change the general understanding of human evolution.

But it provides new evidence that there were many unique and isolated human species competing with one another in a harsh environment — hence the reference to the hit TV and book series, GoT.

Game of bones ... this nearly complete skull displays Neanderthal facial bones. Picture: Madrid Scientific Films

Incredible finding ... palaeontologists found skull fragments in the Pit of Bones, Spain. Picture: Madrid Scientific Films

Dig ... palaeontologists unearth fossils at the Spanish cave site. Picture: Madrid Scientific Films