Ancient DNA reveals children with Down syndrome in 5,000-year-old societies were given noble burials and treated with 'c

[Judi Lynn]

Ancient DNA reveals children with Down syndrome in 5,000-year-old societies were given noble burials and treated with 'care and appreciation'
Story by Nikki Main Science Reporter For Dailymail.Com • 6h

The oldest case of Down syndrome was discovered at a Spanish Iron Age site

Large burials of people with Down syndrome signifies they were 'special babies'


DNA analysis of ancient human remains identified six individuals with the condition that causes learning disabilities, or the more severe Edwards Syndrome.

One case from a church graveyard in Finland was dated to the 17th or 18th Century while the remaining five individuals, dating to between 2,500 and 5,000 years ago, were found at Bronze Age sites in Greece and Bulgaria, and Iron Age sites in Spain.

The research team, whose findings were published in the journal Nature Communications, were able to obtain a wealth of extra information about the remains and the burials.

Analysis has allowed the team to trace the movement and mixing of people, and even to uncover ancient pathogens that affected their lives.

More:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/ancient-dna-reveals-children-with-down-syndrome-in-5-000-year-old-societies-were-given-noble-burials-and-treated-with-care-and-appreciation/ar-BB1iBSEe

[summer_in_TX]

1. Fascinating.

I hope further research sheds more light on how ancient cultures received children with Downs Syndrome.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

2. How amazing.

I am fascinated by Down Syndrome, even though I have never actually been connected to someone with the syndrome.

When I was expecting my second child in my late 30s, I was strongly advised to have testing to see if the baby would have Down syndrome. I refused. While I of course preferred my child not start life with any sort of limitation, I also knew that if I had a child with that condition, I'd be okay. I'd make adaptations, I'd learn what I needed to know about this. As it happened, my son was born with no limitations, just the normal baby stuff. He was just fine. He grew up. We went through all sorts of normal things.

[localroger]

3. To people practicing a polytheistic, syncretic, naturalistic system of religion...

...the appearance of such a person, like that of a special animal like a white buffalo or an unusual phenomenon in the sky, would probably be seen as a message from the astral world and a warning to pay extra attention to other events that might normally be taken for granted.