Sign in Subscribe
Archaeology

New DNA Evidence from Crimea Sheds Light on Neanderthal Migration into Asia

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A team of researchers has made a groundbreaking discovery at the Starosele rock shelter in the Crimean Peninsula, uncovering DNA evidence of a Neanderthal individual that dates back around 45,910-45,340 years ago. This significant find provides a crucial link between Neanderthals in Europe and Asia, shedding new light on their migration patterns and cultural exchange.

The analysis of 150 bone fragments from the Starosele site revealed that 93% of the fragments belonged to horses, suggesting that Neanderthals primarily hunted and consumed horses. Additionally, the team identified bone fragments of wolves, bison, and rhinoceroses in lower amounts. By using mitochondrial DNA sequencing, the researchers were able to confirm Neanderthal lineage and find genetic similarities between the individual, named "Star 1," and other known Neanderthal populations.

The study's authors explain, "Although due to relatively low coverage the placement in a phylogenetic tree cannot be fully resolved, Star 1 appears basal to European Neanderthals (GoyetQ305-4/Feldhofer2), and derived to Siberian Neanderthals (Denisova 11, Okladnikov A, 2)." Furthermore, the team notes that the DNA evidence provides a connection between Neanderthals in Europe and Asia, with similarities to hominins from the Altai region of Russian Siberia.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Starosele rock shelter in the Crimean Peninsula has yielded DNA evidence of a Neanderthal individual dating back around 45,910-45,340 years ago.
  • The analysis of 150 bone fragments from the site revealed that 93% belonged to horses, indicating that Neanderthals primarily hunted and consumed horses.
  • Mitochondrial DNA sequencing confirmed Neanderthal lineage and highlighted genetic similarities between the individual, named "Star 1," and other known Neanderthal populations.
  • The DNA evidence provides a crucial link between Neanderthals in Europe and Asia, with similarities to hominins from the Altai region of Russian Siberia.
  • The team's habitat suitability modeling using paleoclimate data reconstructed potential migration corridors between the Crimean Peninsula and Altai region, identifying a corridor along 55°N that would have experienced favorable climates between 120,000 to 100,000 years ago.
  • The analysis of tool types found at the site suggests cultural exchange and connections between Neanderthal populations in Europe and Asia.

Statistics:

  • 93% of bone fragments at the Starosele site belonged to horses.
  • The DNA evidence of the Neanderthal individual dates back around 45,910-45,340 years ago.
  • The team identified 150 bone fragments from the Starosele site.
  • The analysis revealed bone fragments of wolves, bison, and rhinoceroses in lower amounts.
  • The DNA evidence provides a connection between Neanderthals in Europe and Asia.
  • The team's habitat suitability modeling identified a corridor along 55°N that would have experienced favorable climates between 120,000 to 100,000 years ago.

Sources:

  • Emily M. Pigott et al, A new late Neanderthal from Crimea reveals long-distance connections across Eurasia, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025).
  • https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2518974122
  • https://phys.org/tags/bone+fragments/
  • https://phys.org/tags/migration+patterns/
  • https://phys.org/tags/phylogenetic+tree/

Read more