Written by 3:20 pm Science news - July 2024 • 2 Comments

Mysterious Denisovans May Have Overlapped with Modern Humans on the Tibetan Plateau

Denisovan

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

A recent scientific discovery has shed light on the intriguing story of our close relatives, the Denisovans. Researchers discovered that mysterious ancient humans lived on the Tibetan Plateau. They lived there alongside modern humans for a while. “Hominins” refers to the group that includes modern humans, our ancestors, and other related species.

The key finding is a Denisovan rib bone, one of only a handful of Denisovan remains ever discovered. This bone was found in a cave on the Tibetan Plateau. It is very young for such discoveries, being between 48,000 and 32,000 years old. This information suggests that Denisovans and modern humans might have lived in the region at the same time. It provides an exciting hint about how these two groups may have interacted.

Denisovan Rib and More

The researchers found more than just the Denisovan rib. They discovered remains of different small mammals and birds. These included blue sheep, yaks, deer, hyenas, wolves, snow leopards, golden eagles, and pheasants. Many of the bones had cut marks and notches. This shows that the Denisovans were skilled hunters. They used every part of the animals they hunted.

Qiaomei Fu, a paleontologist who heads an ancient DNA lab at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, says it broadens our imagination for what they were using these animals for. They were not just taking what they needed. They were actually exploiting the resources available in this tough, high-altitude environment.

The rib bone, one of only a handful of Denisovan remains ever found, helps paint a picture of how these people lived. What’s more, its surprisingly young age—between 48,000 and 32,000 years—suggests a possible overlap with modern humans in the region.

Closing Remarks

Scientists found well-preserved animal remains and a Denisovan rib. This discovery gives us a rare view into the lives and behaviors of this mysterious group. Denisovans are an extinct species of ancient humans. They lived thousands of years ago. Denisovans were an ancient human species. Their remains are hard to find. This discovery also raises interesting questions about how they interacted with modern humans. Modern humans likely lived in the same region at the same time.

We keep learning about the Denisovans. A new discovery on the Tibetan Plateau gives us more information. This discovery shows us how they lived. It also hints that they might have lived alongside our own ancestors. The findings highlight the importance of ongoing research and collaboration in shedding light on our complex evolutionary history.

Visit ENTECH Online to explore more articles on the latest scientific discoveries and advancements in various fields, including archaeology, paleontology, and evolutionary biology.

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