Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 3 hrs ago
Cave with thousands of ice-age bear bones secured in the Dolomites
Mountain guide and caver Kurt Walde found a previously unknown cave in July in the Dolomites of South Tyrol, northern Italy.
The entrance is about 2,800 metres high in the Gadertal area, and the cave contains thousands of bones from extinct cave bears.
Archaeologists have secured the entrance to protect the remains from theft and contamination; they have removed only one bone, which was at risk of being damaged.
Some bones remain arranged together, which could help researchers reconstruct individual bears.
The largely untouched cave may provide evidence about ice-age animals, climate and the environment through planned studies of ancient DNA, plant remains and climate.
The work matters because the preserved deposits could reveal more about the cave bears, a species that died out around 20,000 years ago.
Winter weather has made the site inaccessible, and scientific investigations are planned for June 2027.
A cave containing thousands of ice-age cave-bear bones was discovered at 2,800 metres in the Dolomites in South Tyrol.
The entrance has been secured to protect the site from unauthorized access, looting and contamination.
Only one bone, found near the entrance, has been recovered so far.
Researchers plan DNA, botanical and climate analyses, with field investigations expected to begin in June 2027.
One report says the cave’s securing and monitoring are complete, while later reports say winter has temporarily made the site inaccessible.
- Who
- Mountain guide and cave researcher Kurt Walde discovered the cave; South Tyrol’s archaeology office is securing and studying it.
- What
- A cave containing thousands of cave-bear bones has been discovered and secured.
- When
- It was discovered in July 2026. Scientific investigations are planned to begin in June 2027.
- Where
- In the Dolomites of South Tyrol, in the Gadertal area at Koltoron, at 2,800 metres.
- Why
- To protect the scientifically valuable remains and preserve them for research.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Kurt Walde discovered the cave in the Dolomites.
Archaeologists reached the site by helicopter and carried out initial measurements.
The cave entrance was protected with a covering and later fitted with a grille and monitoring measures, according to italien.news.
The main scientific investigations are expected to begin, according to the reports from SuaraGarut.ID and WELT.
- Elevation
- 2,800 metres
- Location
- Koltoron, Gadertal, South Tyrol
- Contents
- Thousands of cave-bear bones
- Recovered so far
- One bone
- Planned research start
- June 2027
- Species named in reports
- Ursus spelaeus ladinicus
3 sources
What people are saying
Experiencing something like this is incredible
We must preserve this intact condition, because DNA analyses of sediments and bone fragments as well as paleobotanical and paleoclimatological analyses are planned
We will certainly be able to reconstruct individual animals
By securing the site, we are protecting not only an extraordinary find, but also the knowledge it contains