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A new research has provided significant insights into the lives of Denisovans, an enigmatic group of ancient humans, from thousands of tiny animal bones discovered in Baishiya Karst Cave, China. This site is only the second known location to host Denisovan remains, following the Siberian cave that gave the group its name.
As per a report in Nature, the study, led by Frido Welker from the University of Copenhagen, reveals how Denisovans thrived in the harsh environment of the Tibetan plateau for over 100,000 years.”Denisovans are dealing with the full suite of animals they’re surrounded with in order to survive in this quite harsh landscape,” said Welker. The research uncovered evidence that these ancient humans hunted a variety of animals, from birds and rodents to hyenas, demonstrating their adaptability and resilience.
Most of the bones were identified through protein signatures, a cutting-edge technique that included the discovery of a rib bone from a new Denisovan individual. This adds to the few known Denisovan specimens and highlights the advanced methodologies being used to study ancient remains.
The Baishiya Karst Cave site also yielded DNA sequences from mitochondria, matching those found in Denisova Cave in Russia. This finding indicates that Denisovans had a much broader range across Asia than previously understood. “It’s obvious that it’s a Denisovan,” said Fabrice Demeter, a palaeoanthropologist at the University of Copenhagen.
Further excavations at Baishiya Karst Cave, led by archaeologist Dongju Zhang from Lanzhou University in China, continue to uncover more details about Denisovan life. The team has identified various animal remains, including those of caprines, wild yak, horses, gazelle, wolves, foxes, and even a marmot leg bone split open to harvest its marrow. These discoveries provide a clearer picture of how Denisovans interacted with their environment and utilized available resources.
Researchers are optimistic that ongoing studies will reveal even more about the Denisovans’ way of life, shedding light on their interactions with early Homo sapiens and other species. “We haven’t reached the bottom,” says Zhang, emphasizing the potential for future discoveries.
Who were the Denisovans?
The Denisovans are an extinct group of archaic humans that were first identified through DNA evidence from a fragment of a finger bone found in Denisova Cave in Siberia in 2010. They are considered a sister group to Neanderthals, sharing a common ancestor with modern humans roughly 600,000 years ago.
Here are some key points about Denisovans:
Originally thought to be confined to Siberia, evidence now suggests Denisovans lived across a broader area, including parts of East Asia.
The recent discovery of Denisovan remains in Baishiya Karst Cave on the Tibetan Plateau extends their known range significantly.
Denisovans interbred with both Neanderthals and modern humans.
Modern populations in Asia, particularly in Melanesia and Australian Aboriginals, carry Denisovan DNA, indicating ancient interbreeding events.
As per a report in Nature, the study, led by Frido Welker from the University of Copenhagen, reveals how Denisovans thrived in the harsh environment of the Tibetan plateau for over 100,000 years.”Denisovans are dealing with the full suite of animals they’re surrounded with in order to survive in this quite harsh landscape,” said Welker. The research uncovered evidence that these ancient humans hunted a variety of animals, from birds and rodents to hyenas, demonstrating their adaptability and resilience.
Most of the bones were identified through protein signatures, a cutting-edge technique that included the discovery of a rib bone from a new Denisovan individual. This adds to the few known Denisovan specimens and highlights the advanced methodologies being used to study ancient remains.
The Baishiya Karst Cave site also yielded DNA sequences from mitochondria, matching those found in Denisova Cave in Russia. This finding indicates that Denisovans had a much broader range across Asia than previously understood. “It’s obvious that it’s a Denisovan,” said Fabrice Demeter, a palaeoanthropologist at the University of Copenhagen.
Further excavations at Baishiya Karst Cave, led by archaeologist Dongju Zhang from Lanzhou University in China, continue to uncover more details about Denisovan life. The team has identified various animal remains, including those of caprines, wild yak, horses, gazelle, wolves, foxes, and even a marmot leg bone split open to harvest its marrow. These discoveries provide a clearer picture of how Denisovans interacted with their environment and utilized available resources.
Researchers are optimistic that ongoing studies will reveal even more about the Denisovans’ way of life, shedding light on their interactions with early Homo sapiens and other species. “We haven’t reached the bottom,” says Zhang, emphasizing the potential for future discoveries.
Who were the Denisovans?
The Denisovans are an extinct group of archaic humans that were first identified through DNA evidence from a fragment of a finger bone found in Denisova Cave in Siberia in 2010. They are considered a sister group to Neanderthals, sharing a common ancestor with modern humans roughly 600,000 years ago.
Here are some key points about Denisovans:
Originally thought to be confined to Siberia, evidence now suggests Denisovans lived across a broader area, including parts of East Asia.
The recent discovery of Denisovan remains in Baishiya Karst Cave on the Tibetan Plateau extends their known range significantly.
Denisovans interbred with both Neanderthals and modern humans.
Modern populations in Asia, particularly in Melanesia and Australian Aboriginals, carry Denisovan DNA, indicating ancient interbreeding events.
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