The oldest DNA from a Neanderthal has been uncovered from a calcite encrusted skeleton embedded deep in rock formations inside a cave in Italy.

The molecules found in the remains can be dated back to 170,000 years ago and this could present the most concise picture of how Neanderthal life was like, according to researchers.

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Modern humans' closest extinct relatives were the Neanderthals that used to live in Europe and across Asia. They died out some 40,000 years ago. Previous studies revealed that Neanderthals apparently interbred with Europeans' ancestors when modern humans were spreading from Africa. Anyone living outside Africa today possesses 1.5 percent to 2.1 percent of Neanderthal DNA.

This fossil was found by scientists in 1993. This most pristine skeleton from an ancient human was uncovered from stalactites and stalagmites in the limestone cave of Lamalunga located near Altamura in south Italy.

According to study co-author Fabio Di Vincenzo from the Sapienza University of Rome, this Altamura man represents the most complete skeleton of a non-modern human ever found. He said almost all the bony elements were well preserved and undamaged.

Researchers said the skeleton possesses many Neanderthal traits on the face and skull. There are also features not Neanderthal-like such as brow ridges that seem to be more massive.

This poses a number of challenges as to the real lineage of the Altamura man. Since the skeleton was also partially embedded in rock, it was more difficult to analyze.

This new research reveals the DNA from the skeleton's right shoulder blade suggests the skeleton was indeed Neanderthal in nature, since it also looks like it belongs to a Neanderthal, researchers say.

When scientists dated the skeleton, it reveals the Altamura man was about 130,000 to 170,000 years old, which is the oldest Neanderthal DNA was extracted from. The oldest Neanderthal fossils ever found, however, is 200,000 years old.

This study was published in the Journal of Human Evolution. 

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