17,000-Year-Old Blue-Eyed Baby Remains Unearthed in Italy
The discovery of a 17,000-year-old blue-eyed baby boy's remains in Italy's Grotta delle Mura cave offers insights into the genetic diversity and social structure of ice age hunter-gatherers. DNA analysis reveals the child had blue eyes, dark skin, and curly hair, and belonged to the Villabruna cluster. The infant likely suffered from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, possibly contributing to his early death. The findings highlight the challenges of limited genetic diversity and health risks in isolated prehistoric communities.