Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 9 hrs ago
DNA links 1,600-year-old infant's single eye socket to chromosomal abnormality
Archaeologists in Peru found the remains of a Nasca infant who lived more than 1,600 years ago.
The infant's skull had one central eye socket, a rare birth defect described in a new study.
DNA analysis confirmed a chromosomal abnormality caused the condition, which was fatal.
Researchers cannot tell how long the infant survived.
The burial suggests the Nasca treated the infant in death like most others.
The discovery links DNA evidence to the cause of this rare condition in an ancient child.
Archaeologists in Peru discovered the skeleton of an infant with one central eye socket.
DNA analysis confirmed that a chromosomal abnormality caused the rare, fatal birth defect.
The infant lived more than 1,600 years ago.
A study co-author said the burial suggests the Nasca treated the infant in death like most other infants.
- Who
- An infant from the Nasca culture.
- What
- DNA analysis linked a chromosomal abnormality to a birth defect that left one central eye socket.
- When
- More than 1,600 years ago.
- Where
- Peru.
- Why
- The chromosomal abnormality caused the birth defect.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The infant had a rare birth defect that left one central eye socket.
Archaeologists in Peru discovered the infant's skeleton.
Analysis of the remains confirmed that a chromosomal abnormality caused the condition.
- Age
- More than 1,600 years old
- Location
- Peru
- Eye socket
- One central eye socket
- Cause
- Chromosomal abnormality
- Cultural group
- Nasca
1 source
What people are saying
We cannot really say how long this individual survived
the burial of this infant suggests that the Nasca treated this individual in death like most other infants