Human DNA can survive on cave walls for thousands of years, opening new window into prehistory
Researchers have demonstrated for the first time that human DNA can survive for thousands of years on cave walls. This discovery allows for the study of prehistoric activity in locations where bones or artifacts are missing. The findings may eventually help identify individual artists and evaluate the artistic abilities of Neanderthals.
What changed
An international team confirmed that prehistoric human DNA can be preserved on cave walls and rock art.
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Scientists Recover Ancient Human DNA from Cave Walls and Rock Art
confidence 100%Researchers have demonstrated for the first time that human DNA can survive for thousands of years on cave walls. This discovery allows for the study of prehistoric activity in locations where bones or artifacts are missing. The findings may eventually help identify individual artists and evaluate the artistic abilities of Neanderthals.
What's confirmed:
- Human DNA can survive on cave walls for thousands of years.
- The research was conducted as part of the First Art project by teams from Spain and Portugal with collaborators in the U.K., China, Germany, Spain, and Portugal.
- Scientists recovered ancient human mitochondrial and nuclear DNA from a pigmented calcite crust and an unpigmented wall sample at Escoural Cave in Portugal.
- The study analyzed pigment samples from 24 rock art panels across 11 caves in Spain and Portugal.
- Researchers examined sites including the Cave of Altamira and Maltravieso Cave.
Still unconfirmed:
- The discovery could resolve the debate over the artistic abilities of Neanderthals.
- This method could one day identify individual prehistoric artists.