A funerary necklace dating back 30,000 years has sparked a significant revision in prehistoric history. In the Kings' Cave near Mouthiers-sur-Boëme in Charente, a set of child teeth had long been interpreted as evidence that early modern humans, known as Aurignacians, had killed a Neanderthal child and used its teeth as a macabre ornament. However, recent research has shown that these teeth actually belong to a child of our own species, Homo sapiens. This revelation was not based on DNA analysis or new dating methods, but on a detailed re-examination of the teeth using an X-ray microscope and advanced imaging techniques. The discovery challenges a long-standing narrative. For decades, the perforated and worn teeth had been seen as a grim symbol of intergroup violence, suggesting that Neanderthals and modern humans may have clashed violently. This idea had been widely accepted in textbooks and documentaries, shaping public perception of Neanderthal extinction. However, a team from the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle, led by Jérôme Isle de Beauchaine, used modern technology to re-evaluate the evidence. They employed micro-CT scans and 3D geometric morphometry—methods that allow the internal structure of the teeth to be analyzed without damaging them. These techniques revealed the true species identity by looking at the internal architecture of the teeth, which preserves more accurate morphological information than the outer surface. The key findings were based on three distinct characteristics of the teeth. First, the labial surface of the incisors was flat, unlike the "shovel-shaped" form typical of Neanderthals. Second, the enamel was thicker than what is usually found in Neanderthals and within the normal range for modern humans. Third, a comprehensive comparison of the dental structure against a large reference sample confirmed the teeth’s similarity to modern humans. This analysis was not based on DNA, which is often too degraded in such ancient remains, but on the detailed shape of the teeth, which provides a reliable set of indicators. This reclassification changes the story of the Kings' Cave from one of intergroup violence to one of mourning and commemoration. The child's teeth may have been worn as a funerary ornament by close relatives, rather than as a trophy from an enemy. This shift in interpretation aligns with the growing understanding that Neanderthals and modern humans may have interacted in complex ways, not always through conflict. While this case removes one piece of evidence for interspecies violence, it does not negate the broader body of evidence suggesting occasional conflicts and interbreeding between the two species. The lesson from this study is clear: modern analytical tools require a re-evaluation of the fossil record, ensuring that species identification is based on detailed, internal analysis rather than surface observations alone.