Sensational find in Schöningen: 300,000 year old horse DNA discovered!

Sensational find in Schöningen: 300,000 year old horse DNA discovered!

The Schöningen archaeological site in Lower Saxony has become the scene of a spectacular find in recent days. Researchers from the Senckenberg Center for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment in conjunction with the University of Tübingen have successfully reconstructed the genome of the extinct horse species “Equus mosbachensis”, which represents a huge advance in the study of horse evolution. This sensational find comes from an excavation site that is around 300,000 years old, where the oldest known hunting weapons - wooden spears - were discovered. Over 35 different genera and hundreds of extinct species of equine species demonstrate the diversity of evolutionary history.

What makes this find so special? Loud news38.de The Schöninger DNA is considered the oldest known genetic material that has ever been successfully isolated under open-air conditions. Until now, the scientific assumption was that DNA could only survive for up to 240,000 years outside of caves or permafrost. In Schöningen, however, the researchers found that the remains were stored in permanently moist, oxygen-poor sediments, which provided a natural protection.

Insights into the past

The research, recently published in the renowned journal Nature Ecology & Evolution, shows that the Schöninger horses belong to a lineage that is considered the origin of all modern horses. This analysis can not only clarify historical data about "Equus mosbachensis", but also shed light on the family tree of modern horses and trace the migration of these animals from North America to Eurasia. Two major waves of migration - one about 2.6 million years ago and the other 900,000 to 800,000 years ago - have now been documented.

The genetic remains, which were discovered under open-air conditions in a former brown coal open-cast mine, expand the current gap in knowledge about the evolution of horses. The Schöningen finds represent a turning point in research because they show that ancient DNA can survive even in unfavorable environments. This opens up new opportunities to explore the genetic diversity of past animal species.

Archaeological significance

Schöningen itself lies near the border with Saxony-Anhalt and is known for its archaeological finds, which are of central importance for the understanding of early humanity. How Senckenberg.de explains, the study of the DNA of the Schöninger horses is a promising basis for further research in archaeology. The bones of the hunted animals were found near the wooden spears, indicating their central role as a food source for early human species.

The Schöningen finds are of great importance not only for science. They also illustrate the long and eventful history of the relationship between humans and animals. Understanding this ancient connection can help us better understand the evolution of modern animal husbandry and the role of horses in different cultures. How zeit.de reports, the study ultimately shows that our knowledge of the evolution and domestication of animals is constantly growing and that such discoveries make a valuable contribution to this.