Ancient Turkish cave to undergo e-DNA analysis in new excavation season

Researchers will use environmental DNA analysis during the 2026 excavation at the 86,000-year-old İnkaya Cave in Çanakkale, Turkey. The study aims to identify past plant and animal life and potentially which human species used the site, as current finds show abundant flint but no organic remains. Soil samples will be taken in September by a team from Ankara University's Genetic Evolution Laboratory.