Cave bear skull discovered in Tisza River bed

A cave bear skull from the Ice Age has been discovered in the bed of the Tisza River between Szolnok and Kisköre, Hungary. The specimen was spotted by staff from the Central Tisza Water Management Directorate during a boat trip, where it was initially mistaken for part of an anchor protruding from the gravel bed.

The skull has been transported to the Damjanich János Museum in Szolnok. Preliminary examinations suggest the remains belong to a cave bear, a species characteristic of the Würm glaciation that appeared approximately 250,000 to 300,000 years ago. Experts at the museum are currently conducting further investigations to determine the exact age and origin of the find.

The discovery was made possible by exceptionally low water levels in the river caused by drought, which has exposed various historical and paleontological remains in the region.