The most recent cave hyena fossil discovered in the world-sensation in Gera!

The most recent cave hyena fossil discovered in the world-sensation in Gera!

A sensational find from Gera in Thuringia causes a sensation in the science world! The most recent well-known cave hyenene fossil of the earth, a fragment of a skull, was dated to 19,810 to 1990 years-and that before 2017! This remarkable find comes from the famous "Lindenthal Hyänen cave", which was discovered in 1874 and is a real treasure chest for paleontologists.

Scientists from the Universities of Copenhagen and Potsdam have examined the fossil in detail and even successfully determined the mitochondrial genome and the core genome. These genetic analyzes aim to gain new findings on the evolutionary history of the extinct cave hyena. An age dating using a radio carbon method (C14 dating) confirmed the extraordinary youth of the fossil. It is the last known representative of its kind worldwide and can currently be admired in a special exhibition in the Museum of Natural History Gera.

a look into the past

The cave hyenas lived in large parts of Europe and Asia during the Pleistocene before dying out about 12,000 years ago. These predators used caves as a shelter to disassemble their prey and raise their boys. The "Lindenthal Hyänen cave" was once a busy place for these animals, filled with bones and teeth both of the hyenas and their prey. The spectacular find from Gera is not only a fascinating piece of history, but also a significant step in researching the history of evolution of these impressive creatures.