Shanidar 1 — the individual Solecki called “the Old Man of Shanidar” — carried evidence of multiple survived traumas: a crushing blow to the left side of his head that appeared to have damaged his left eye, a withered right arm that may have been amputated, significant leg injuries, and patterns of wear consistent with long-term disability.

Despite all of this, he had survived into what was considered middle to late age for a Neanderthal.

Solecki and subsequent researchers interpreted the healed injuries as evidence that other members of his group had cared for him — that he could not have obtained food and protection on his own in his disabled state, and therefore someone had provided those things for him.

That inference has been contested, as many inferences about Neanderthal behavior have been.