New fossils reveal physical characteristics of Denisovans

Researchers have identified fossil remains in northern China that provide new insights into the physical appearance of the Denisovans, an enigmatic group of ancient humans. The study, published in the journal Nature, analyzed a collection of 20 fossils from Xujiayao that are at least 130,000 years old.

Key anatomical features identified include a low and sloping forehead, a prominent and backward-curving supraorbital ridge, rectangular eye orbits, flat cheeks, and a moderately elevated nasal bridge. These findings help clarify the morphology of a group first identified in 2010 through genetic material found in Siberia.

Previously, the Denisovans were known primarily through DNA sequencing and protein analysis, which distinguished them from both Homo sapiens and Neanderthals. The discovery of these fossils, alongside a nearly complete Denisovan skull found near Harbin, continues to refine the scientific understanding of their physical traits.