DNA belonging to Denisovans – the ancient human ancestor – discovered in a Tibetan cave may be only 45,000 years old, scientists say. The ancient Denisovan mitochondrial DNA was recovered in sediments from Baishiya Karst Cave, a limestone cave at the northeast margin of the Tibetan Plateau, 3,280 meters above sea level. If the DNA is indeed only 45,000 years old, the species would have lived alongside modern humans in northeast central Asia. This discovery in Baishiya Karst Cave is the first time Denisovan DNA has been recovered from a location that is outside Denisova Cave in Siberia, Russia. This Siberian cave was previously the single location in the world where a handful of DNA-bearing Denisovan fossil bones have been discovered.

Source: Daily Mail October 29, 2020 18:55 UTC