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Health & Science1h 56m ago

Gold miners in the Yukon have found ancient ground squirrel burrows containing fossilized feces, which researchers led by Tyler Murchie have studied to find some of the oldest DNA ever recovered, dating from 30,000 to 700,000 years ago.

Yukon, North Carolina

Who
Tyler Murchie, Josh Currie, Roxanne Khamsi, Isaac Asimov, Jay Ingram
What
Gold miners in the Yukon have found ancient ground squirrel burrows containing fossilized feces, which researchers led by Tyler Murchie have studied to find some of the oldest DNA ever recovered, dating from 30,000 to 700,000 years ago.
When
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 22:09:13 GMT · 1h 56m ago
Where
Yukon, North Carolina ·
Why
The fossilized feces offer a glimpse into Ice Age ecosystems, containing traces of ancient animals like woolly mammoths, steppe bison, and hundreds of plant species.
The Frontline Impact

How this affects you

This research provides valuable insights into prehistoric life and environmental conditions during the Ice Age, enhancing our understanding of ancient biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics. Ongoing studies into limb regeneration and genetic mutations could lead to significant medical advancements for humans.

Story chain

2 events in this thread
  1. Currently Reading1h 56m ago
    Gold miners in the Yukon have found ancient ground squirrel burrows containing fossilized feces, which researchers led by Tyler Murchie have studied to find some of the oldest DNA ever recovered, dating from 30,000 to 700,000 years ago.
  2. Health & Science1h 56m ago
    Ancient squirrel poop found in Yukon permafrost contains traces of woolly mammoths, grasshoppers, steppe bison and ancient horses, as well as hundreds of plant species and some of the oldest DNA ever recovered.
    Open article

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