Research Visit to Chișinău: Expanding the Fossil Dataset

Last week, our team, together with Jules, a Master’s student currently undertaking an internship within the project, travelled to the Republic of Moldova to work in fossil collections and meet with our Moldovan partners.

During our time in Chișinău, we worked in the paleontological collections of the Institute of Zoology and the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History. These collections preserve important Late Pleistocene fossil assemblages from cave sites across the region and represent a central component of the cross-border dataset we are building within RE-CONNECT.

Over several days in the collections, we examined and documented large mammal remains and selected specimens suitable for sampling. We carefully recorded, photographed, and sampled bones and teeth for stable isotope (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N) and radiocarbon analyses. These samples will provide essential information on paleodiet and chronological context, helping us better understand the ecology and timing of large mammal populations in the Carpathian–Dniester region.

Alongside the collection work, we also held a joint project meeting with our Moldovan colleagues to review progress and refine the work plan for 2026. This session allowed us to align priorities, coordinate upcoming analyses and field activities, and ensure that the next phase of RE-CONNECT moves forward in a coherent and collaborative way.

We left Chișinău with new samples, clear plans for 2026, and renewed energy for the work ahead. Until next time!