Ancient bees nested in bone: six fossil nests found in a 20,000-year-old tooth socket

Researchers examining a Dominican cave fossil tooth socket uncovered six bee nests dating to about 20,000 years ago, all inside hollow bone cavities. The nests, revealed by CT scans, show cup-shaped, waterproof-lined chambers and were found across multiple sediment layers, indicating repeated use over generations. This is the first documented case of bees nesting in animal bone, a finding that expands paleontologists’ search for nesting sites in old collections rather than suggesting new bee biology or evolution. The site also preserves a rich mix of fossils and environmental clues (fungal spores, pollen) pointing to a damp, wood-decay–rich setting, with the nests representing a small, incidental part of the broader deposit.