Denisovan fossils found in Taiwan seafloor reveal large stature

Researchers have identified Denisovan remains, including a femur and tibia, recovered from the seafloor of the Penghu Channel between Taiwan and mainland China. The study, led by the University of Tokyo, utilized protein analysis to confirm the lineage of these ancient human relatives, who split from Neanderthals approximately 550,000 years ago.

Based on the dimensions of the recovered leg bones, scientists estimate that these individuals were notably tall. One individual is estimated to have stood approximately 1.80 meters (5 feet 11 inches) tall and weighed 83 kilograms, while another may have reached 1.90 meters (6 feet 3 inches) and weighed 91 kilograms. These measurements suggest that some Denisovans were taller than the average modern human.

The discovery provides rare insights into the physical build of Denisovans, as previous fossil evidence was largely limited to teeth and jaw fragments. The findings also challenge Bergman’s rule, as these individuals lived in a relatively warm region yet possessed large body dimensions. The discovery has also prompted non-scientific speculation from independent researcher Jimmy Corsetti, who suggested a potential link to biblical accounts of the Nephilim.