Vindija Cave

A major Palaeolithic cave site in northern Croatia containing over 200,000 years of occupation layers. Systematic excavations by Mirko Malez (1974-1987) unearthed at least 85 Neanderthal fossil remains dating to around 40,000 years ago. The late Neanderthal specimens show a reduction in classic Neanderthal features, with smaller faces and thinner browridges. Vindija was pivotal for the Neanderthal Genome Project: remains of three individuals were selected as primary sources for the first draft genome sequence in 2010, and a female specimen was later sequenced to 30-fold coverage. The site fuels debate over Neanderthal-modern human interaction and possible interbreeding.