Denisova Cave

Denisova Cave is a paleolithic site in the Altai Mountains of Russia, formed through limestone dissolution over millennia. The three main chambers connect through narrow passages, with the central chamber featuring a floor roughly 9 by 11 meters at an elevation of 670 meters (2,200 feet).

Systematic excavations began in 1977 under Soviet archaeologists who quickly uncovered stone tools and animal bones. Later analysis from 2008 onward led to the discovery of bone fragments dating back more than 280,000 years and documenting a previously unknown human lineage.

The name comes from an 18th-century hermit called Denis who supposedly lived here. Today the site serves mainly scientific teams who work continuously searching for new fossils and traces of human occupation.

The constant temperature near freezing inside creates optimal conditions for preserving DNA and organic material. Visitors should watch for low passages and uneven floors that can become slippery in wet weather.

Researchers identified seven individual fossils from at least two different human groups who lived here simultaneously or in overlapping periods across tens of thousands of years. A particularly delicate bone needle from around 50,000 years ago shows advanced crafting skills.