Ancient DNA Discoveries Challenge Long-Held Assumptions About Prehistoric Life in Europe

Recent studies have unveiled significant findings regarding ancient DNA, particularly from the Schöningen site in Lower Saxony, Germany, and the Upper Rhine Graben region. The research led by the University of Tübingen and published in *Nature Ecology & Evolution* revealed that DNA from the extinct horse species *Equus mosbachensis* was recovered from sediment at the Schöningen site, dating back approximately 360,000 years. This discovery challenges previous beliefs that viable DNA could only survive in frozen or sheltered environments, as the Schöningen site is an open-air archaeological location.

Scientists Unearth 200,000-Year-Old DNA—In a Place It Shouldn’t Have Survived

The *Equus mosbachensis* genome provides insights into the evolutionary history of horses, indicating that this species diverged from the ancestors of modern horses around 800,000 to 900,000 years ago. The preservation of DNA in carbonate-rich, oxygen-poor mud at the site has set a new record for the oldest DNA extracted from an open-air archaeological site, surpassing the previous record held by a 240,000-year-old Eurasian elephant genome.

Scientists Unearth 200,000-Year-Old DNA—In a Place It Shouldn’t Have SurvivedAncient Humans Bred with Completely Unknown SpeciesHippos in the Ice Age: Ancient DNA rewrite Europe’s wildlife story

The Schöningen site is also notable for its association with early hominins, likely *Homo heidelbergensis* or *Homo neanderthalensis*. The proximity of horse remains to wooden spears suggests a coordinated hunting strategy, indicating that early humans had a complex relationship with horses long before domestication. The concentration of horse bones alongside tools reinforces the notion of early humans as skilled hunters with a deep understanding of their environment.

Scientists Unearth 200,000-Year-Old DNA—In a Place It Shouldn’t Have Survived

In a separate study published in *Current Biology*, researchers uncovered that hippos (*Hippopotamus amphibius*) thrived in central Europe during the last Ice Age, existing between 47,000 and 31,000 years ago. This finding contradicts the long-held belief that hippos vanished from Europe around 115,000 years ago. The research team, which included scientists from the University of Potsdam and the Reiss-Engelhorn-Museen Mannheim, utilized ancient DNA sequencing and radiocarbon dating to establish the timeline of these hippos.

Hippos in the Ice Age: Ancient DNA rewrite Europe’s wildlife storyDiscover Magazine

The hippos lived during warmer intervals of the Weichselian glaciation, suggesting that parts of Europe experienced brief periods suitable for these tropical animals. Genetic analysis revealed that these Ice Age hippos were nearly identical to modern African hippos, indicating that they were not a separate lineage but rather a remnant population that migrated north during favorable climatic conditions.

Hippos in the Ice Age: Ancient DNA rewrite Europe’s wildlife storyDiscover Magazine

Both studies highlight the adaptability of ancient species to fluctuating climates and the complexity of prehistoric ecosystems. The findings from Schöningen and the Upper Rhine Graben suggest that ancient environments were more diverse than previously thought, with warm-loving species coexisting alongside cold-adapted megafauna like mammoths and woolly rhinoceroses.

Hippos in the Ice Age: Ancient DNA rewrite Europe’s wildlife story

These discoveries prompt a reevaluation of how scientists understand ancient migrations and the ecological dynamics of the Ice Age. The evidence of hippos and horses in Europe during these periods illustrates the need for further research into other potential open-air sites, which may yield additional insights into the evolutionary history of various species.

Discover Magazine

Arianna Weingarten, a doctoral researcher at the University of Tübingen, stated, “Our study’s aim was to clarify the position and origin of *Equus mosbachensis* in the equine family tree and to better understand the genetic relationship to today’s horse.” Cosimo Posth, another lead author, emphasized that the results demonstrate the potential for recovering ancient DNA from environments previously deemed unsuitable for such studies.

Scientists Unearth 200,000-Year-Old DNA—In a Place It Shouldn’t Have Survived

While the findings are groundbreaking, some experts caution against overgeneralizing the implications. The dating of the Schöningen site remains debated, with some studies suggesting an age of around 200,000 years, which highlights the challenges in establishing precise timelines in paleogenomics.

Scientists Unearth 200,000-Year-Old DNA—In a Place It Shouldn’t Have Survived

Future research will focus on re-examining other archaeological sites across Europe to uncover additional evidence of ancient species and their interactions with early humans. The interdisciplinary approach combining genetics, archaeology, and climate science will be crucial in reconstructing the complex narratives of prehistoric life.

Ancient land bridge discovery: How humans migrated to Europe during the last Ice Age