25,000-Year-Old Mammoth Hunting Site Discovered in Lower Austria!
A remarkable archaeological discovery in Langmannersdorf an der Perschling, Lower Austria, is shedding new light on the hunting strategies and lifestyles of Ice Age humans. A team from the Austrian Academy of Sciences (\u00d6AW) has uncovered the remains of at least five mammoths, alongside stone tools and evidence of ivory processing, at a site dating back 25,000 years.
Photo Credit: ÖAW-ÖAI/Marc Händel
A Significant Ice Age Discovery
Led by Marc H\u00e4ndel of the Austrian Archaeological Institute (\u00d6AI), the excavation revealed two dense deposits of mammoth remains just 15 metres apart. One area shows clear evidence of butchering, where at least two mammoths were processed, while the second area contains the remains of at least three mammoths, including whole and fragmented tusks. Researchers believe the presence of tusk fragments suggests on-site ivory processing. H\u00e4ndel noted: \u201cThe fact that we are not just finding individual bones here, but intensively used areas where several animals were processed, has more than exceeded our expectations.\u201d
The discovery of stone tools and production waste indicates that Ice Age hunters were highly skilled in resource utilisation. The processed ivory was likely used for crafting tools or spear points, a common practice during this period.
Understanding Prehistoric Hunting Strategies
During the late Pleistocene, mammoth herds roamed Central Europe, with the Perschling Valley serving as an important migration route and grazing area. The high concentration of mammoth remains at Langmannersdorf suggests that prehistoric hunters possessed a deep understanding of the seasonal movements of these animals. This knowledge would have enabled them to plan and execute their hunts with remarkable precision.
Photo Credit: ÖAW-ÖAI/Marc Händel
A Century-Long Archaeological Journey
The importance of Langmannersdorf as a prehistoric hunting ground was first recognised in the early 20th century. Between 1904 and 1907, reports surfaced of a local resident selling large bones to a soap factory, prompting archaeologists from the Natural History Museum in Vienna to launch initial excavations. More systematic research followed in 1919 and 1920, leading to the identification of two mammoth hunter camps.
Now, over a hundred years later, modern excavations are being conducted by the \u00d6AI as part of the European research project MAMBA (Exploring Mammoth Bone Accumulations in Central Europe). This initiative is examining sites in Austria, Poland, and the Czech Republic to gain deeper insights into prehistoric mammoth hunting and the environmental changes that shaped early human societies.
Cutting-Edge Scientific Analysis
To better understand the past, researchers are employing advanced scientific techniques, including DNA analysis, stable isotope analysis, radiometric dating, and paleodemographic modelling. These methods allow them to reconstruct Ice Age environments and explore the complex interactions between humans and mammoths.
The mammoth remains recovered at Langmannersdorf are currently undergoing analysis at the \u00d6AI's research branch in Krems. Once studies are complete, the findings will be transferred to the Natural History Museum in Vienna, with selected artefacts also being displayed at the Perschling Museum of Local History.
This extraordinary discovery not only enhances our understanding of Ice Age hunters but also offers a glimpse into a world where humans and mammoths coexisted in a challenging yet resource-rich landscape.