A new late Neanderthal from Crimea reveals long-distance connections across Eurasia

Abstract

The Crimean Peninsula contains key Middle to Upper Paleolithic transitional archaeological sites, including the site of Starosele, where we identified a new Neanderthal; Star 1. This study highlights the integration of Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS), radiocarbon dating, and ancient DNA analysis to uncover rare hominin remains and enhance our understanding of late Neanderthal populations in this region. Genetically, Star 1 is closely related to Neanderthals from the Altai via its mitochondrial DNA, suggesting long-range migrations of Neanderthal groups across Eurasia. These migrations during favorable climatic conditions likely involved the spread of the Micoquian lithic tradition, indicating both cultural continuity and regional mobility during the Late Pleistocene.