Andoq

Andoq Cave lies in the Nuratau mountains in the Hisar Range, in the Samarkand region, Uzbekistan. Its east-facing entrance opens into a narrow corridor that leads into a large, elongated chamber, which may once have extended further before partially filling in. The cave has long been known to local researchers for its archaeological potential, but only recently has it been systematically explored as part of the LAST NEANDERTHALS (LN) project.

Andoq is part of the LN project because of its capacity to preserve stratified archaeological deposits that span different periods of human history. In particular, the deeper layers of the cave may contain traces of Palaeolithic occupation, offering the chance to reconstruct ancient lifeways in high detail. The site provides an important point of comparison with other caves in the region, such as Amankutan, and helps researchers build a more complete picture of how Neanderthals and other hominins lived in Central Asia. The loess-rich sediments of Andoq also have strong potential for preserving environmental data such as pollen, which can reveal how past climates and landscapes shaped human behaviour.

In June 2025, LN researchers opened small test pits inside the cave. These revealed three main layers: a modern surface accumulation, a Bronze Age occupation horizon, and a deeper loess-rich unit. The latter yielded chipped stone artefacts likely attributable to an Upper Palaeolithic industry. Sediment samples were also collected for pollen and luminescence (OSL) dating, which will help place the finds in their broader chronological and environmental context.