Researchers uncover Denisovan fossils and tools in Yunnan cave
Archaeologists working in Bianfu Cave in Yunnan province recovered seven Denisovan fossils—including four teeth, two skull fragments and part of an arm bone—alongside stone and bone tools, fossil pollen and animal remains. Proteomic tests on two molars and amino acid variants on other fragments identified Denisovan affiliation, while no ancient DNA was preserved. Sediment layers date the fossils to about 167,000–134,000 years ago, and tools appear in layers from about 190,000 to 70,000 years ago. The site offers a rare, direct association between Denisovan remains and cultural materials, clarifying behavior and geographic distribution.
Seven Denisovan fossils were found with tools in Bianfu Cave.
Context
Scientists first identified Denisovans from DNA in 2010. Most earlier Denisovan finds were isolated fragments with unclear context. Researchers plan to test cave sediment for hominin DNA to learn more.
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