News Archaeology

A Siberian cave contains clues about two epic Neandertal treks

Stone tools and DNA found in the cave reveal two eastward journeys across Asia

Altai Mountains

Stone tools found in Chagyrskaya Cave, in southern Siberia’s Altai Mountains, indicate that Neandertals reached the site around 60,000 years ago after a long-distance journey from Eastern Europe.

Richard Roberts

By Bruce Bower

- More than 2 years ago

Neandertals were epic wanderers.

These ancient hominids took a 3,000- to 4,000-kilometer hike from Eastern Europe to the Altai Mountains in southern Siberia around 60,000 years ago, a new study concludes.