Denisova Cave DNA reveals unknown prehistoric yak lineage

Researchers analyzing ancient DNA from bone fragments found in Siberia's Denisova Cave and other Altai sites have identified a previously unknown bovine lineage, dubbed “yak X”. This genetic line is closely related to modern yaks but represents a deeply divergent mitochondrial lineage that survived in the region for approximately 200,000 years.

The discovery, published in scientific journals including Genome Biology and Evolution and Current Biology, was made possible through advanced genetic sequencing. Because many of the 63 bone fragments analyzed were too small or damaged to be identified by physical shape alone, scientists relied on paleogenomics to distinguish the remains. The analysis confirmed the presence of aurochs, bison, and various yak groups, including the newly identified “yak X” lineage.

The international research team included experts from the Stockholm Center for Paleogenetics, the University of California, Santa Cruz, the University of Vienna, and the Russian Academy of Sciences. The findings highlight the Denisova Cave's continued importance as a critical archive of Pleistocene biodiversity.