Scientists have discovered five Denisovan remains, including the first confirmed Denisovan radius bone, dating back 150,000 years in Bianfu Cave, Yunnan Province, China. Led by Professor Qiaomei Fu of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the research combined morphological pre-screening and Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry to analyze over 60,000 bone fragments. The newly identified forearm bone exhibits a combination of Neanderthal-like and modern human-like traits, indicating unique mechanical demands and behavioral adaptations. Protein analysis confirmed the Denisovan identity with 100 percent posterior probability, establishing Bianfu Cave as the richest known source of Denisovan fossils outside of Denisova Cave. The findings provide critical physical evidence for the sparse fossil record below the skull for Denisovans, helping researchers understand their geographic distribution and environmental adaptation in southwest China during Marine Isotope Stage 6. These discoveries offer vital insights into human evolution and demonstrate a highly efficient methodology for screening Paleolithic sites, paving the way for future paleoanthropological breakthroughs.
