Lichtenstein Cave

The Lichtenstein Cave is an archaeological site near Dorste, Lower Saxony, Germany. The cave is 115 metres long and was discovered in 1972. Finds include the skeletal remains of 21 females and 19 males from the Bronze Age, about 3000 years old. In addition, about 100 bronze objects (ear, arm and finger rings, bracelets) and ceramic parts from the Urnfield Culture were found.

Ancient DNA Tests

Both mitochondrial DNA and Y-chromosome DNA tests were conducted on the skeletons and published by the University of Göttingen. Mitochondrial haplogroups found included 17 from H, 5 from T2, 9 from U5b and 5 from J*. Out of the 19 males represented in the cave, 15 yielded the full 12 tested STR values, with twelve showing haplotypes related to I2b2 (at least four lineages), two to R1a (probably one lineage), and one to R1b predicted haplogroups. Y-STR results are given in the table below:

Y-STR Haplotypes of the 19 male individuals[1]
HT 393 390 19 391 385a 385b 439 389i 392 389ii 437 438 Σ Hg
Y1 13 25 16 11 13 17 11 12 11 28 15 10 6 I2b2
Y2 13 25 15 11 13 17 11 12 11 27 15 10 3 I2b2
Y3 13 23 14 11 11 14 12 13 13 29 15 12 1 R1b
Y4 - - (17) (11) - - (11) 12 - - - 10 1 I2b2
Y5 13 25 15 11 11 (13) 11 13 11 30 14 11 2 R1a
Y6 13 24 16 11 13 17 11 12 11 28 15 10 3 I2b2
nd - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 -

() = allele unsure or assignment of an individual, nd = not determined

See also

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Coordinates: 51°43′28″N 10°10′27″E / 51.72444°N 10.17417°E