Science
Cave fossils in China offer new clues to Denisovan appearance
Fossils from Bianfu Cave suggest Denisovans shared bone shapes with modern humans, Scientific American reports.
The short version
- Researchers analyzing ancient human fossils from Bianfu Cave in southwestern China have identified remains belonging to Denisovans dating back more than 130,000 years.[Scientific American]
- The recovered fragments include four teeth, partial arm bone material, and two skull pieces, with dating spanning roughly 134,000 to 167,000 years ago.[Scientific American]
- Structural analysis of the arm bone indicates Denisovans had skeletal shapes resembling modern humans rather than robust Neanderthals.[Scientific American]
Key facts
- New analyses of remains from Bianfu Cave in Yunnan province offer insights into Denisovan appearance and survival over 130,000 years ago.[Scientific American]
- The newly identified remains consist of four teeth, an arm bone fragment, and two skull pieces.[Scientific American]
- Researchers confirmed the specimens were Denisovan through a specific amino acid in tooth enamel because ancient DNA was not preserved.[Scientific American]
- One skull piece dates to between 161,000 and 167,000 years ago, while the other remains date between 134,000 and 142,000 years ago.[Scientific American]
- Arm bone analysis indicates Denisovan skeletal shapes resembled modern humans more than Neanderthals.[Scientific American]
What remains uncertain
- Full physical appearance remains inferred from a limited set of bone and skull fragments.[Scientific American]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- Scientists unlock new clues to what Denisovans, a mysterious ancient human ancestor, looked likeScientific American metered