An archaeological team from the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) has made a groundbreaking discovery in Langmannersdorf an der Perschling, Lower Austria, where remains of at least five mammoths, stone tools, and evidence of ivory processing were found. The site dates back to 25,000 years and provides us with important new evidence about the hunting strategies and lifestyles of Ice Age humans.

Exposing the mammoth bones in excavation area 2. Credit: ÖAW-ÖAI/Marc Händel

The excavation, led by Marc Händel of the Austrian Archaeological Insтιтute (ÖAI), uncovered two densely packed deposits of mammoth remains only 15 meters apart. In one area, evidence of butchering was found, where at least two mammoths were processed. The other area revealed remains of at least three mammoths (including complete and fragmented tusks), indicating that prehistoric hunters were processing the tusks on-site. Händel said: “The 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.”

The fact that stone tools and production waste were also found suggests that Ice Age hunters skillfully utilized the available resources. The researchers surmise that the processed ivory was probably used as spear points or possibly as some sort of tool, which was common in this time period.

During the late Pleistocene, mammoth herds roamed Central Europe, using the Perschling Valley as a migration route and grazing area. The high concentration of mammoth remains found at Langmannersdorf indicates that prehistoric humans had a profound understanding of the timing of these animals’ seasonal movements, which allowed them to plan and execute their hunts.

Find layer with the remains of dismembered mammoths and stone tools in excavation area 2. Credit: ÖAW-ÖAI/Marc Händel

The significance of this site as a prehistoric hunting ground was first recognized in the early 20th century. Between 1904 and 1907, reports emerged that a local resident was selling large bones to a soap factory, prompting archaeologists from the Natural History Museum in Vienna to conduct their first excavations. Then, more systematic research was done in 1919 and 1920, when two mammoth hunter camps were identified.

Today, over a hundred years later, modern excavations are proceeding under the direction of the ÖAI as part of the European research project MAMBA (“Exploring Mammoth Bone Accumulations in Central Europe”). This project includes research in Austria, Poland, and the Czech Republic, and seeks to learn more about how prehistoric people hunted mammoths and the ecological changes that shaped their world.

Credit: Mauricio Antón

Researchers are employing advanced scientific techniques, including DNA analysis, stable isotope analysis, radiometric dating, and paleodemographic modeling. These methods allow researchers to reconstruct the Ice Age environment and explore interactions between humans and mammoths.

The remains that have been recovered in Langmannersdorf are currently undergoing analysis at the ÖAI’s research branch in Krems. Following the completion of the studies, the finds will be sent to the Natural History Museum in Vienna, and some objects will be sent to the Perschling Museum of Local History for display.

More information: ÖAW