Importance Score: 47 / 100 🔵
Ancient human fossil discovery in Taiwan has been identified as Denisovan, shedding light on the distribution of this enigmatic hominin group. A fossilized jawbone, initially retrieved from the seabed near Taiwan in 2010, has now been confirmed as belonging to a Denisovan individual through advanced protein analysis, according to a new study. This finding marks the third known location inhabited by Denisovans, expanding our understanding of their geographical range across Asia.
Seafloor Jawbone Unlocks Denisovan Ancestry
For years, the origins of a peculiar jawbone, designated Penghu 1, remained unclear after it was hauled up by fishermen approximately 25 kilometers off the Taiwanese coast over a decade ago. Despite its human-like appearance, scientists encountered difficulties in definitively placing it within the human evolutionary lineage.
Recent breakthroughs in paleoproteomics, the study of ancient proteins, have enabled researchers to ascertain the fossil’s identity. By scrutinizing minute protein fragments extracted from teeth still embedded in the jaw, scientists verified that Penghu 1 belonged to a Denisovan male. The groundbreaking research was published in the journal Science.
Frido Welker, a co-author of the study and an associate professor at the University of Copenhagen, explained the significance of protein analysis: “We have demonstrated that these proteins possess greater longevity than DNA. With sufficient protein recovery, we can confidently determine the evolutionary heritage of a specimen.”
The waters off Taiwan have long been a source of ancient animal remains for local fishermen, who frequently net bones of extinct creatures such as elephants, water buffalo, and hyenas. These relics are remnants of the last ice age, when lower sea levels transformed the Taiwan Strait into a land bridge.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
The shallow sea at low tide in the Penghu Islands, Taiwan Strait, the site of the seabed fossil discovery.
The Denisovan individual likely inhabited this region when it was an exposed landmass connecting present-day China and Taiwan. Professor Welker emphasized the importance of this discovery, stating, “This establishes the third known habitat of Denisovans, revealing their presence in diverse environments, from Siberian mountains to the Tibetan Plateau and now subtropical zones.”
Uncommon Discovery and Provenance
Chun-Hsiang Chang, paleontology curator at Taiwan’s National Museum of Natural Science and a study co-author, noted that fishermen often sell recovered fossils to antique dealers, eventually reaching private collections. The museum’s extensive collection includes numerous fossils retrieved from the seabed.
The Penghu 1 jawbone reached the museum through a collector seeking information. Recognizing its potential significance, Chang encouraged the collector to donate or sell it to the museum, which he agreed to do.
In a 2015 publication co-authored by Chang, preliminary analysis suggested the fossil belonged to the genus Homo, encompassing modern humans and extinct relatives like Neanderthals. However, unsuccessful attempts to extract DNA hindered definitive species identification and verification.
Accurate dating of the fossil also proved challenging, with estimates placing its age between 10,000 and 70,000 years or possibly 130,000 and 190,000 years. These periods correspond to times when sea levels were significantly lower in the region.
Seeking advanced analysis, Chang transported the specimen to Copenhagen in 2022 to collaborate with Professor Welker and his team, known for their pioneering work in paleoproteomics.
Chang recounted a moment of suspense at Copenhagen airport security when the fossil-containing case triggered an alert in the X-ray machine. “Security personnel stopped me and requested to inspect the case,” he recalled. “For a moment, I feared arrest.” After presenting his credentials and providing a brief explanation on human evolution, Chang was permitted to proceed.
Prior to examining the Penghu 1 jawbone, Welker’s team tested elephant and pig bones from the same marine environment to optimize protein extraction techniques and confirm protein preservation in seabed fossils. Having successfully detected proteins, they proceeded with the Denisovan jawbone analysis.
Analysis of protein sequences recovered from Penghu 1 revealed a match with known Denisovan genomic data. Furthermore, the identification of amelogenin, a sex-specific protein, alongside Y-chromosome specific peptides, indicated the individual was male, according to Welker.
The Denisovan Enigma
Denisovans were initially identified in 2010 through DNA analysis of a small finger bone fragment discovered in Denisova Cave in Siberia’s Altai Mountains, giving the group its name.
Subsequent genetic studies revealed interbreeding between Denisovans and early modern humans, similar to Neanderthals. Traces of Denisovan DNA in modern populations suggest they once inhabited a vast territory across Asia. Recent fossil discoveries outside Denisova Cave corroborate their widespread presence.
In 2019, the Xiahe mandible, found in a Tibetan Plateau cave, was identified as Denisovan based on molecular analysis. A Denisovan rib bone from the same location was reported in 2024.
A tooth discovered in a Laos cave in 2022, resembling the Xiahe mandible tooth, was also classified as Denisovan, placing the species in Southeast Asia, although definitive molecular confirmation was not possible for that molar.
Denisovans are known for possessing remarkably large molars. Genetic insights about them are derived from limited fossil evidence.
Protein analysis of teeth attached to the jawbone confirmed its Denisovan male origin.
Zhang Dongju, a Lanzhou University professor involved in the Xiahe mandible research, but not in the current study, expressed surprise at the well-preserved proteins in the Penghu 1 mandible, considering its prolonged submersion at sea.
“The growing collection of Denisovan fossils and molecular signatures will simplify future identifications,” she stated. “I anticipate further Denisovan fossil discoveries, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of this mysterious hominin species.”
Katerina Douka, an archaeological science professor at the University of Vienna, described Denisovans as an “enigma,” characterized by extensive genetic information but scarce fossil evidence, limiting knowledge about their physical appearance, except for their notably large molars.
Paleoanthropologist Ryan McRae from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History noted that the absence of wisdom teeth in the Penghu 1 and Xiahe mandibles might suggest a less protruding jaw compared to other hominins.
“Lacking a chin, unlike modern humans, their jawline was likely flatter,” McRae explained. “The male designation of the Penghu mandible suggests it might represent the larger end of physical variation for this species. Female Denisovans could have exhibited similar or contrasting features, which remains unknown.”
Both Douka and McRae were not participants in this research.
Despite their significance, Denisovans lack a universally accepted scientific species name. Homo juluensis has been proposed by some, categorizing Denisovan fossils alongside other Chinese fossils, including the “dragon man” skull identified in 2021.
Professor Chang and his colleagues plan to re-examine approximately 4,000 fossils from the National Museum of Natural Science’s collections, retrieved from the Taiwan Strait over decades, utilizing proteomic analysis to identify potential Denisovan fragments.
“Our museum collection may hold undiscovered treasures,” Chang concluded, highlighting the potential for future revelations.
For further news updates, please visit reputable news websites.