Extended longevity of DNA preservation in Levantine Paleolithic sediments, Sefunim Cave, Israel

A groundbreaking discovery at Sefunim Cave, Israel, reveals that ancient DNA can persist for up to 70,000 years in warm Levantine sediments, defying expectations. Researchers analyzed 33 sediment samples from Paleolithic layers, identifying traces of extinct Cervidae (deer) and Hyaenidae (hyaenas) mitochondrial DNA using paleogenomic techniques. The findings, supported by optical luminescence and radiocarbon dating, suggest that the cave's unique environmental conditions—likely stable and undisturbed since deposition—facilitated exceptional DNA preservation. This study provides critical insights into the potential for recovering ancient DNA from challenging warm-climate contexts, with implications for understanding human and faunal evolutionary history in the Levant.

Slon, V., Clark, J. L., Friesem, D. E., Orbach, M., Porat, N., Meyer, M., Kandel, A. W., & Shimelmitz, R. (2022). Extended longevity of DNA preservation in Levantine Paleolithic sediments, Sefunim Cave, Israel. Scientific Reports, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-17399-2