The oldest fossils of modern humans yet discovered were found in the Batscho Kiro Cave in Bulgaria. An international research team, including scientists from Germany, found these 45,000-year-old bone remains together with bone and stone tools, the remains of hunted animals and jewellery such as beads and pendants. This provided evidence that modern humans arrived in Europe much earlier than previously thought. Since the human remains were too small to be identified, they were analysed in the laboratory and then assigned to humans. Since the excavations began in 2015, the cave has become an important centre for research into early humans.
The cave is named after the Bulgarian revolutionary and writer Bacho Kiro. It is located in the centre of Bulgaria, near the town of Dryanovo. It is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm from April to October and from 10 am to 4 pm from November to March. You can choose between the small tour, which takes about 25 minutes, or the large tour, which takes about an hour. Tours can be booked online in advance via various travel platforms or on the day.
Photo: Batscho Kiro Cave, Bulgaria. Credits: Max Planck Institute
