Scientists discover 31,500-year-old cave lion skeleton in Spain

Members of the Burumendi speleology group discovered the complete skeleton of a cave lion in a cave in Mendaro, Gipuzkoa.

The group found the remains in the Ormola Bide Ondoko cave, where they named the animal Arno. Researchers believe the lion died approximately 31,500 years ago after a confrontation with another cave lion. This find represents the only complete skeleton of an unidentified cave lion discovered in the Iberian Peninsula, and the second one found in Gipuzkoa.

Researchers from the University of the Basque Country and the Aranzadi science association led the subsequent study of the remains. They used photogrammetry to map the 2x1 meter area where the skeleton lay scattered in a steep, muddy gallery. The team identified the animal as a member of the Panthera spelaea spelaea subspecies, a large predator from the Upper Pleistocene.

The study aims to provide better data on how these animals grew and developed, as well as how they lived in the prehistoric ecosystems of the region. The research team plans to compare the findings with other fossil records in Europe and conduct DNA analyses. They worked with a team from the University of Vienna to collect samples for genetic testing.

The discovery provides new insights into the size and diet of these prehistoric predators, which were capable of hunting large prey like bison and deer. The project was presented at the Gipuzkoa Heritage Center by local officials, university researchers, and the speleology group members.