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Fossil Confirms Denisovans Lived in Taiwan's Penghu Channel

A jawbone identified through protein analysis reveals Denisovans' extended range into Southeast Asia and provides new insights into their physical traits and adaptability.

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The life reconstruction of a robust male Denisovan, an extinct archaic human, walking under the bright sun of Taiwan, is seen in this illustration obtained by Reuters on April 10, 2025. Cheng-Han Sun/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.
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The shallow sea is visible at low tide in this coastal view in the Penghu Islands, a group of islands in the Taiwan Strait, where the fossil was discovered on the seabed.

Overview

  • The Penghu 1 jawbone, dredged from Taiwan's Penghu Channel in 2008, has been confirmed as belonging to a male Denisovan through advanced paleoproteomic analysis.
  • This discovery expands the known range of Denisovans, showing their presence in warm, humid Southeast Asia in addition to Siberia and the Tibetan Plateau.
  • The fossil's robust jaw and large molars offer new insights into Denisovan morphology, distinguishing them from Neanderthals and modern humans.
  • Direct dating of the fossil remains inconclusive, with estimates ranging from 10,000 to 190,000 years ago based on indirect evidence like sea levels and associated fauna.
  • The finding underscores the adaptability of Denisovans to diverse environments and highlights the potential of protein analysis in studying ancient human relatives.