The Prince of Arene Candide is the skeleton of a 15-year-old boy discovered in the Arene Candide Cave in Finale Ligure, Liguria, Italy. He earned the nickname “Prince” because of the exceptional burial items found alongside him. His head was adorned with a bonnet made of hundreds of perforated shells, suggesting a status of great importance.
Dating back approximately 26,000 years, this young man was 1.70 meters tall and had remarkably strong arms and legs, likely developed through continuous physical exertion. Bone analysis reveals that his diet primarily consisted of wild animal meat, along with fish and mollusks.
His body was carefully laid to rest and covered in red ocher, a common ritual practice in ancient burials. He was buried with an impressive collection of artifacts, including objects made of shell and mammoth ivory, further highlighting his significance in his community
