Last week the journal Nature reported additional data supporting the astonishing idea that a previously unidentified hominid lived among us up until at least 30,000 years ago. The data were recovered from Denisova Cave, in the Altai Mountains of Siberia. The new data include DNA analysis of a finger bone reported earlier, mtDNA analysis on a tooth from a different individual, and a search of modern gene data for descendant remnants.
Exterior view, Denisova Cave
Photo Credit: Bence Viola
You may remember that in March 2010, Svante Pääbo and associates described the initial mtDNA analysis of a small finger bone. The finger bone was from a child, and it dated to approximately 30-45,000 years ago. Most astonishingly, the bone's mtDNA profile did not match either Early Modern Human (EMH--that's our direct ancestor) or Neanderthals, the two hominids that, up until March, we believed were the two dominant hominids on the planet at the time.
The latest information comes from regular DNA (not mitochondrial) and the team has identified that the Denisovans (as scholars have decided to name them) and Neanderthals come from a common lineage. Data suggests that a small percentage of the modern genes of present-day Melanesians show some commonalities to the Denisovans, leading scholars to believe that the Denisovans may have been widespread over Asia.
Further, a tooth found at Denisova in 2000 from a young adult was analyzed, and its mtDNA also reflects the Denisovan pattern. The tooth is a large molar, and it is outside the normal size range for most members of the Homo family, and closest to Australopithecus in size. It is most definitely not a Neanderthal tooth. Scholars believe the young adult was part of the same hominid population as the child.
Morphology of the Denisova Molar. Image courtesy David Reich, Nature
All of the Denisovan remains are from Layer 11 at Denisova, and that's a bit of a problem. Radiocarbon dates from this layer suggest that there are at least two and perhaps more occupations in the same layer, one older than 50,000 (the upper limit of C14 dating) and one between 23,000-30,000 years ago. The phalanx and molar both appear to be from the earlier occupation.
Why didn't we know about them?
It may surprise you that there could have been a completely unrecognized species of human running around the planet as recently as 30,000 years ago that scientists were unaware of: but the truth of the matter is that there are inconsistencies which have been noted in the fossil record that simply never fit into the "neanderthal" or "early Homo sapiens" categories, inconsistencies that are potentially solvable with new genetic techniques.
So, welcome, Denisovans! (Are you really there?)
More Information
Reich D, Green RE, Kircher M, Krause J, Patterson N, Durand EY, Bence V, Briggs AW, Stenzel U, Johnson PLF et al. 2010. Genetic history of an archaic hominin group from Denisova Cave in Siberia. Nature 468:1053-1060.
Best of the News Stories
- The old man of the mountain, The Economist
- Bone May Reveal a New Human Group, Nicholas Wade in the NYT
- Siberian Fossils Were Neanderthals' Eastern Cousins, DNA Reveals, Carl Zimmer, NYT
- New Type of Ancient Human Found--Descendants Live Today? , Ker Than, National Geographic
- Ancient humans, dubbed 'Denisovans', interbred with us, BBC News
- Chris Stringer: The tip of the iceberg in understanding of human history, The Independent
- The Denisova Genome FAQ, John Hawks
Comments
All of the most recent anthropological info suggests that Multi-
regional hominid/hominin evolution trumps “Out of Africa”. Denisovan molar is Australopithecus-like. Floresiensis is a Latter Day Australopithecus. Chimpanzee-like Dryopithec apes lived in Eurasia. Georgian hominins are slightly more advanced than Flores Island “Hobbits”. The EXTANT populations of chimpanzees and bonobos still suggest (exclusive) African origins but it is uncalled for to relate us only to the African chimpanzoids of today when we parted ways long before such became extinct in Eurasia.
For more such reflections see http://www.jandacek.com
Actually, it doesn’t, you know. When the scientists talk about “4-6% Denisovan genes in Melanesians” and “1-4% Neanderthal genes in Europeans”, the rest of those genes are African H. sapiens.
In other words, after we left Africa, we, um, mingled with the people we found, but all living humans today are Homo sapiens sapiens, originating from Africa.
Kris, it is just amazing to me that you can make such a statement like it is absolutely true and proven fact…
“In other words, after we left Africa, we, um, mingled with the people we found, but all living humans today are Homo sapiens sapiens, originating from Africa.”
Recent finds in Israel may challenge your declaration, time will tell, but I must say you speak with the confidence of someone who knows where of they speak. How can you be so sure with all the assumption and speculation involved in such a theory, it is still a theory isn’t it? Or have we all missed the evidence that proves the absolute truth in your statement?
If this is true and the facts are what they are, then this is just one in a series of many discoveries that not only prove, but set the standard for what we really need to be looking at. I really think geology and archeaology will merge, soon… in a definitive discipline that looks back farther then we ever did before. Considering there is fosilized foot prints found in the U.S. that place humans back much later then we ever thought possiable! this is a great find and sets the standard for our quest for the true origans of the human race! Good job on the report guys!
Hi Kris, Rick & John et al, Thanks for your input. I believe that the oldest Primate fossils are Teilhardina (Tarsiroids) from North America. These are certainly too distant to call for “Out of North
”. Still, I focus on hilobatid-Siamangs-Gibbons getting the ball stared with Orangs & company migrating towards
America
Africa and spawning Dryopithecenes along the way. The “Dryos” could be the foundation stocks for Australopithecenes from Flores Is. to S. Africa. Select wild canines on most continents were domesticated. Same with Hominization of Dryopits & Australopits. All migrated into and OUT OF AFRICA. Bottlenecks in Ethiopia,Levant and other migratory routs between the 3 part
“Afroeurasia” selected disproportionately for smarts & big brains.
The preponderance of archaeological and paleontological and genetic data indicates that all modern humans are descended from a small population of Homo sapiens who lived in Africa (or possibly Israel-there was just a story about Qesem Cave that I’m looking into right now).
There is no credible evidence for homo sapiens evolution in the Americas.
Kris, I never suggested that there was any “evolution” of homo sapiens in the Americas. The question was how can you make such statements on our origins as absolute truth? A preponderance of evidence indicates to some. C’mon Kris, Are you saying it is no longer theory? That we now have proof or just evidence that leads “some” researchers to promote such a theory. Is it still just a theory or not?n In a civil court, a preponderance of evidence is sometimes sufficient to gain an award but since when has that criteria been enough to establish scientific “fact” to be promoted and taught as “fact”. Is it still theory or not?
Well, Rick, I have no concrete proof that you exist, do I? Sometimes I think you were invented by a collective alien from the Beta Lyrae system to teach me how to control my inner snark. But, since I’m clearly failing in that attempt, I can only say, Mm hmm, science is always a matter of hypotheses, and leave it at that.
Kris, Now we are finally getting somewhere and yes I do in fact exist concretely for now. Is invented the same as “created”? If so you are starting to nail down my origin and in fact I am the product of a “collective alien” so to speak. Collective in the sense that the inventor is actually a three in one entity whose Light and brightness exceeds even that of the Beta Lyrae. Controlling the inner snark can only be done successfully with the help of your “Inventor”. You are clearly the teacher on this site and you have taught me a great deal, more than you know and I thoroughly enjoy the knowledge you share so freely and I believe personnaly you were “invented” for that purpose. We all have a purpose for why we are “invented”, mine is simply to affirm to you and others that you were “invented” and that you are loved by your “Inventor.” oh! what’s your take on that point i posted, any input would be helpful?
I erred with TYPO – Denisova genes are Neanderthaloid. SORRY!
Still, ARGUE OR AGREE with me. Latter Day Australopithecus survived on Flores Is. Indonesia till 13,000 years ago – perhaps later as OrangPendek. Denisovan genes survive in New Guinea. Non-Africans have a modicum of Neanderthal genes. Today we are ALL one species. WHY NOT FOR THE LAST 2,000,000 years?
Wolves,dingos & dachshunds interbreed and produce fertile progeny. So do Watusi,Pygmy,Aborigine & Eskimo. Why is it so difficult to accept the brotherhood and sisterhood of ancient hominins. Where the 3 parts of Afroeurasia come together – Levant, Ethiopia etc. chance favored the prepared larger mind/
brain. www,jandacek.com
peter its not . most people do not want to think about intermingling it interrupts their sensibilities of how they think things should be. all dogs and wild dogs can interbreed as they share 96% or more of the same genes. like wise for modern man but man to chimp or great ape is 6 or more % and is a no go even if you wanted to. i used to get in a lot of trouble for suggesting that neanderthals where still amongst us. they simply got bred out of existence by a more numerous and prolific homo.