Recent studies of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from eight fossils unearthed in Poland’s Stazynia Cave unveil a tightly-knit community of Neanderthals who inhabited the region approximately 100,000 years ago. This discovery offers one of the most definitive genetic insights into a singular prehistoric group in Europe.
Approximately 100,000 years ago, at least seven Neanderthals inhabited Stazynia Cave in modern Poland. Image credit: Tyler B. Tretsven.
Located at 359 meters altitude, Stazynia Cave lies between the villages of Milow and Boborice on the Krakow-Częstochowa Plateau in southern Poland.
This limestone cave is defined by its narrow entrance and is a site of significant archaeological interest.
From 2007 to 2010, excavations were meticulously conducted over an area of approximately 16 square meters in the cave’s rear.
Among the critical discoveries were nine human teeth, five of which have been confirmed as Neanderthal remains.
In this groundbreaking study, Professor Andrea Pisin from the University of Bologna and colleagues successfully extracted and analyzed mtDNA from the nine fossils.
The findings suggest these fossils belonged to at least seven, and potentially eight, Neanderthals.
Interestingly, three of the specimens shared identical mtDNA, indicating a close relation or possibly sharing maternal lineage.
Through detailed analysis of their genetic patterns, researchers estimate that this group thrived during a warm interglacial period between approximately 120,000 and 92,500 years ago.
This research makes them the oldest known Neanderthal group identified genetically in central Europe.
“This is a groundbreaking result; we can now observe a small community of at least seven Neanderthals in central and eastern Europe who lived around 100,000 years ago,” stated Professor Pisin.
“Typically, Neanderthal genetic data is derived from isolated fossils or various sites scattered over time; here at Stazynia, we can reconstruct a miniature population, presenting the first cohesive genetic perspective of Neanderthals in this European region.”
Dr. Violeta Nowaczewska from the University of Wrocław and Dr. Adam Nadaczewski from the Institute of Animal Systematics and Evolution at the Polish Academy of Sciences noted, “Stazynia Cave has long been recognized for its exceptional preservation, but these findings have surpassed our expectations.”
The identification of this small, ancient Neanderthal population at such a complex site marks a significant milestone in Polish research and Neanderthal studies in Europe.
Researchers discovered that Neanderthals sharing similar genetic traits also resided in regions as distant as southeastern France, the Iberian Peninsula, and northern Caucasus, suggesting a once-wide-ranging maternal lineage that was later supplanted by other genetic groups.
“Particularly intriguing is the shared mtDNA found in two juvenile teeth and one adult tooth, indicating they may be closely related,” remarked Dr. Mateja Hadjdinjak from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.
Furthermore, comparisons with a Neanderthal known as Thorin, excavated from France’s Mandolin Cave, show strikingly similar mtDNA, although Thorin is estimated to be around 50,000 years old.
“This study serves as a reminder to approach ancient timelines with caution,” advised Professor Sala Talamo from the University of Bologna. “As radiocarbon dating approaches calibration limits, it becomes crucial to not assign undue precision to the data.”
“Therefore, integrating archaeology, radiocarbon dating, and genetic data is essential.”
These results were published in this week’s edition of Current Biology.
_____
Andrea Pisin et al. For the first time, multiple Neanderthal mitogenomes have been discovered in the northern Carpathians. Current Biology published online on April 20, 2026. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2026.03.069
Source: www.sci.news