Oldest Ever DNA Sample from Calcified Neanderthal Man

Bones found in an Italian cave over two decades ago might have provided the oldest Neanderthal DNA ever tested, according to results published in the Journal of Human Evolution. Nicknamed the “Altamura Man,” the bones were calcified into the walls of the cave after the ancient homonid slipped and fell into a well approximately 200,000 years ago, reports Phys.org.

The ancient skull has calcite pebbles crowning the eye sockets along the brows and jawline that look like decorative jewels from a pirate’s buried treasure. But, the skeleton's ancient secrets are finally coming to light.

A recent retrieval of a fragment of bone from the right scapula (shoulder) allowed scientists to test the DNA of the ancient hominid. The results showed that the Altamura remains was in fact Neanderthal, or at least, looked mostly Neanderthal.

“Overall, the results concur in indicating that it belongs to the hypodigm of Homo neanderthalensis,” the report said, “with some phenetic peculiarities that appear consistent with a chronology ranging from 172 ± 15 ka to 130.1 ± 1.9 ka. Thus, the skeleton from Altamura represents the most ancient Neanderthal from which endogenous DNA has ever been extracted.”

Because the bones were calcified into the wall of the cave, and no known removal technique could safely guarantee a completely non-intrusive extraction, the specimen was studied in situ since it was first discovered by spelunkers in 1993.

“Analysis by Uranium-thorium dating revealed that the calcite was formed 172,000 to 130,000 years ago—during the penultimate quaternary glaciations period,” Phys.org reported. “The team also reports that samples of DNA have also been retrieved from the sample, and because of the age, represent the oldest such samples ever recovered from Neanderthal remains.”

Neanderthals eventually became extinct around 35,000 years ago, according to the Museo Nazionale Archeologico di Altamura website, where more information on the Altamura Man and Neanderthal history can be found. After eons trapped in calcite in the corner of a cave under a small city in southern Italy, the Altamura Man’s secrets might help scientists peer deeper into the mystery of human evolution than ever before.

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