Researchers have successfully extracted ancient human DNA from sediment collected in El Mirón Cave, located in Spain. The DNA is estimated to be around 22,000 years old, originating from individuals who lived during the last ice age in Europe.
This groundbreaking study, led by scientists at the University of Vienna, reveals genetic material from multiple individuals, despite the absence of any physical remains like bones or teeth. The sediment sample, weighing just a few grains of rice, required extensive sequencing—about 100 iterations—to gather sufficient usable data.
The analysis involved sifting through over a billion DNA fragments to identify human sources and account for possible modern contamination. The limited genetic information retrieved likely originated from skin, hair, or blood shed by ancient humans who sheltered in the cave during one of the coldest periods of Europe’s last glacial maximum.
Published in the journal Science Advances, the findings provide new insights into the genetic identities of the ancient populations that inhabited El Mirón. The research suggests these individuals were part of a western ancestry group characterized by dark skin, hair, and eyes. Furthermore, the DNA analysis indicated a demographic skew, revealing more male than female genetic traces.
“This result highlights the capacity of sedaDNA (sedimentary DNA) for uncovering previously inaccessible genetic dynamics in absence of human remains,” the authors concluded, emphasizing how this technology links archaeological records with human genetic identities.
The study’s implications extend beyond this singular discovery. Advances in sedaDNA extraction could transform archaeological research, allowing scientists to explore human behavior, migration, and genetics without relying solely on fossil records. Future studies might offer deeper insights into topics such as hunter-gatherer interactions and early agriculture.
Earlier research has shown promise in this area; in 2021, mitochondrial DNA was retrieved from another cave in Georgia, linked to a woman who lived 25,000 years ago. More recent discoveries include ancient DNA found preserved on cave walls in Argentina.
At El Mirón Cave, a previous study in 2025 identified both human and animal mitochondrial DNA from sediments dated between 46,000 and 21,000 years ago. This new research marks a significant advancement by successfully extracting nuclear DNA, which provides more comprehensive information about individual lineages compared to mitochondrial DNA.
By comparing the genomic data from El Mirón to remains from an ancient woman in France and a tooth from northern Spain, researchers found evidence of interbreeding between eastern and western populations in Europe prior to the last glacial maximum. However, the 22,000-year-old DNA from El Mirón appears to be exclusively linked to western ancestry, indicating a relatively stable population in southwest Europe during that period.
Researchers, including lead author Pere Gelabert, anticipate that further integration of skeletal genomes and sedaDNA datasets will enhance understanding of the genetic landscape among Upper Paleolithic populations in Europe.
