Living and working at 10,700 feet elevation produces physiological effects that are relevant to understanding the Hourglass Cave man’s experience, even if those effects cannot be directly documented in his bones.

Above approximately 8,000 feet, most sea-level-adapted humans begin to experience some effects of reduced oxygen availability.

The air is less dense at high altitude, and each breath contains less oxygen than the same breath taken at sea level.

The body compensates over time through increased red blood cell production and other physiological adaptations, but these adaptations take weeks to months to fully develop.

People who grew up at high altitude — who were born and spent their early years above 8,000 feet — develop different physiological characteristics than sea-level populations.