Denisova Cave and Denisovans

Record summary

AI-recalled lead: Denisova Cave produced a finger bone, tooth, and other remains whose genomic analysis identified a previously recognized archaic human population, now called Denisovans. The lead matters for comparing fossil taxonomy, ancient DNA, admixture, and the movement of hominin populations across Eurasia. The archaeological sequence includes Neanderthal and modern-human-related evidence, but assigning every artifact or occupation to a particular population is difficult. The population’s anatomy, geographic range, and relationship to later peoples continue to be refined by new genomic and fossil evidence.