Archaeologists from the University of Cambridge, alongside Dutch artists, have reconstructed the face of Shanidar Z, a 75,000-year-old Neanderthal woman from Iraqi Kurdistan.

The reconstruction was made possible by piecing together over 200 skull fragments, with the skull showing signs of flattening due to rockfall.

Shanidar Z is estimated to have been around 45 years old at the time of death, with a unique facial structure and significant dental wear suggesting poor oral health.

Tooth enamel proteins were utilized to determine the sex of the skeleton, offering insights into Neanderthal appearance and their potential interbreeding with modern humans.

The genetic research underscores the connection between Neanderthals and modern humans, with most living people carrying a portion of Neanderthal DNA.

Shanidar Cave was a burial site for at least 11 Neanderthals, with evidence suggesting they had rituals around death and food preparation near the deceased.

These findings are altering the conventional view of Neanderthals, highlighting their complexities and possible similarities to early modern humans.

The reconstructed face has gained public attention through a BBC documentary available on Netflix, and ongoing excavations at Shanidar Cave may reveal further insights.