Denisovans’ DNA Links to ‘Dragon Man’ 100,000 Years Ago

Researchers are delving deeper into the history of Denisovans, an ancient human group whose DNA reveals their expansive journey from the Tibetan plateau to distant locales such as the Philippines and Laos, and possibly northern China over 100,000 years ago. Denisovans, who coexisted with modern humans (Homo sapiens) and Neanderthals tens of thousands of years ago, are mostly known through genetic material from fossils found in Denisova Cave in Siberia, Russia. Despite their genetic contributions to contemporary humans, their physical characteristics have remained largely unknown.

Recent studies suggest a potential link between Denisovans and the newly identified “Dragon man” species, or Homo longi, noted for its broad nose and pronounced brow ridges. This connection offers new insights into Denisovan attributes and their evolutionary path.

The presence of Denisovan genes in populations residing in Tibet also indicates past interbreeding events with Homo sapiens, which may have endowed modern humans with adaptations suitable for high-altitude living.

The discovery of a Denisovan jawbone in a Tibetan cave has reinforced the connection between Denisovans and Homo longi, leading to speculation about their common heritage. Professor Xijun Ni from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing suggests that Denisovans might belong to the Homo longi species, characterized by distinct physical features.

However, the quest to unravel Denisovan mysteries faces obstacles, such as the scarcity of their DNA in Chinese fossils. Despite these challenges, new methods like proteomics offer hope for gleaning insights from ancient proteins.

Janet Kelso from the Max Planck Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, emphasized the significance of discovering Denisovan fossils outside Siberia and noted similarities between the teeth of the Denisovan jawbone and those of Homo longi, hinting at a connection between the two.