Human evolution: new Denisovan study (Introduction)

by David Turell , Wednesday, July 03, 2024, 19:01 (141 days ago) @ David Turell

In a Tibetan cave:

https://phys.org/news/2024-07-bone-extinct-humans-survived-tibetan.html

"Bone remains found in a Tibetan cave 3,280 m above sea level indicate an ancient group of humans survived here for many millennia, according to a new study published in Nature.

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"Their new analysis has identified a new Denisovan fossil and shed light on the species' ability to survive in fluctuating climatic conditions—including the ice age—on the Tibetan plateau from around 200,000 to 40,000 years ago.

"Dr. Geoff Smith, a zooarchaeologist at the University of Reading, is a co-author of the study. He said, "We were able to identify that Denisovans hunted, butchered and ate a range of animal species. Our study reveals new information about the behavior and adaptation of Denisovans both to high altitude conditions and shifting climates. We are only just beginning to understand the behavior of this extraordinary human species."

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"Dr. Huan Xia, of Lanzhou University, said, "Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS) allows us to extract valuable information from often overlooked bone fragments, providing deeper insight into human activities."

"The research team determined that most of the bones were from blue sheep, known as the bharal, as well as wild yaks, equids, the extinct wooly rhino, and the spotted hyena. The researchers also identified bone fragments from small mammals, such as marmots, and birds.

"Dr. Jian Wang, of Lanzhou University, said, "Current evidence suggests that it was Denisovans, not any other human groups, who occupied the cave and made efficient use of all the animal resources available to them throughout their occupation."

"Detailed analysis of the fragmented bone surfaces shows the Denisovans removed meat and bone marrow from the bones, but also indicates the humans used them as raw material to produce tools.

"The scientists also identified one rib bone as belonging to a new Denisovan individual. The layer where the rib was found was dated to between 48,000 and 32,000 years ago, implying that this Denisovan individual lived at a time when modern humans were dispersing across the Eurasian continent. The results indicate that Denisovans lived through two cold periods, but also during a warmer interglacial period between the Middle and Late Pleistocene eras.

"Dr. Frido Welker, of the University of Copenhagen, said, "Together, the fossil and molecular evidence indicates that Ganjia Basin, where Baishiya Karst Cave is located, provided a relatively stable environment for Denisovans, despite its high-altitude.

"'The question now arises when and why these Denisovans on the Tibetan Plateau went extinct.'"

Comment: Both Neanderthals and Denisovan went extinct probably in the same time frame. It is possible roving sapiens drove them to extinction. My guess is it was sapiens not being stronger but more intelligent.