A large-scale scientific study conducted across 11 different caves in Spain and Portugal has uncovered new insights into ancient history.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, an international team of scientists has determined that cave walls serve not only as canvases for rock art but also as unique archives preserving the biological traces of ancient humans.
During the study, researchers meticulously examined 24 different rock art samples and wall surfaces, ranging from simple etchings to handprints. Out of 120 samples collected, human DNA was successfully identified in five.
How genetic traces were preserved
Experts believe that the ancient genetic material was transferred to the cave walls through direct contact. It is reported that sweat from human hands, saliva dispersed from bone tubes used to spray paint, and other biological traces have been preserved on the walls for thousands of years. Notably, one of the DNA samples discovered in the "Covarón" cave in Spain was covered by a calcite layer, which allowed it to remain in excellent condition to this day.
The analyses revealed that the identified DNA samples belong to Homo sapiens, specifically from the Western Eurasian hunter-gatherer genetic group that was widespread across the Iberian Peninsula.
Opening new opportunities for research
While scientists note that this method does not yet allow for the identification of the specific individual who created a particular cave painting, the discovery is considered a significant scientific milestone in understanding which caves ancient humans visited and who touched the walls.
Experts plan to refine this method in future research to determine the specific conditions under which DNA is preserved for longer periods. Scientists believe this discovery is only the beginning, as future studies of even undecorated cave walls could provide critical information regarding the migration routes, lifestyles, and cultures of ancient populations.
This breakthrough highlights the evolving nature of paleogenetics, a field that continues to bridge the gap between archaeology and modern molecular biology, offering unprecedented windows into the lives of our ancestors.
