Ancient DNA reveals Ice Age humans targeted female woolly mammoths
A new study published in Current Biology reveals that Ice Age humans selectively hunted female woolly mammoths. Researchers analyzed ancient DNA from over 500 mammoth bones to determine that human activity was the primary driver behind female-dominated bone accumulations.
Why it matters
This discovery provides new insights into the hunting behaviors of Paleolithic humans and their ecological impact on megafauna populations.
edited by Gaby Clark , reviewed by Robert Egan
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Add as preferred source Excavation in Langmannersdorf 2025. Credit: Marc Händel/Austrian Academy of Sciences Analyzing ancient DNA from more than 500 mammoth bones, an international team of researchers found that Ice Age humans selectively targeted female woolly mammoths. The results of the study, published in Current Biology , show that, in contrast to the sex ratio among naturally occurring woolly mammoth remains, large bone accumulations associated with ancient human activity are dominated by females.
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