Fossil of Extinct Human Species Denisovan Identified in Tibetan Plateau, Their Diet Pattern Revealed

Historical Context: The Denisovans are an extinct species of archaic humans that coexisted with Neanderthals and modern humans (Homo sapiens) in Eurasia. First identified from fossils found in Denisova Cave in Siberia in 2008, they were classified as a distinct species in 2010 by Swedish geneticist Svante Pääbo, who won the Nobel Prize for Physiology in 2022. Denisovans lived approximately 200,000 to 30,000 years ago and are known to have interbred with both Neanderthals and modern humans.

Recent Findings: A recent study has identified a Denisovan rib fossil in the Baishiya Karst Cave on the Tibetan Plateau, dating it to 48,000 to 32,000 years ago. This discovery adds to the evidence that Denisovans inhabited this high-altitude region for around 100,000 years. The study, conducted by researchers from Chinese, Danish, and British institutions, was published in the journal Nature.

Diet and Lifestyle: The analysis of 2,500 mammalian bones from the cave revealed that Denisovans had a diverse diet primarily consisting of blue sheep (bharal), wild yaks, woolly rhinos, spotted hyenas, snow leopards, marmots, and birds like the golden eagle and common pheasant. The bones showed signs of human processing, such as cut marks, indicating that Denisovans removed meat, extracted bone marrow, and used bones for tool-making and preparing animal hides.

Significance: The discovery of the Denisovan rib and the analysis of their diet provide crucial insights into their lifestyle and survival strategies in the harsh environment of the Tibetan Plateau. The findings also highlight the Denisovans’ ability to adapt to high-altitude living, a trait that may have been passed on to modern humans through interbreeding.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• Historical Context:

  • Denisovans are an extinct species of archaic humans.
  • First identified from fossils in Denisova Cave, Siberia, in 2008.
  • Classified as a distinct species in 2010 by Svante Pääbo.
  • Lived approximately 200,000 to 30,000 years ago.
  • Coexisted and interbred with Neanderthals and modern humans.

• Recent Findings:

  • Denisovan rib fossil identified in Baishiya Karst Cave, Tibetan Plateau.
  • Fossil dated to 48,000 to 32,000 years ago.
  • Study published in the journal Nature.

• Diet and Lifestyle:

  • Analysis of 2,500 mammalian bones from the cave.
  • Diet included blue sheep, wild yaks, woolly rhinos, spotted hyenas, snow leopards, marmots, and birds.
  • Bones showed signs of human processing for meat, marrow extraction, tool-making, and hide preparation.

• Significance:

  • Provides insights into Denisovan lifestyle and survival strategies.
  • Highlights Denisovans’ adaptation to high-altitude living.
  • Adds to the understanding of Denisovan-human interactions and genetic legacy.

This information is crucial for students preparing for competitive exams as it provides a comprehensive understanding of the Denisovans’ historical context, recent discoveries, and their significance in human evolution.