Mysterious Fossil Found in Siberian Cave May be Oldest-Known Sample of Rare Human Lineage

Scientists have discovered the earliest remains of the enigmatic Denisovan human ancestry to date. According to a new study, researchers have unearthed stone artifacts related to these extinct ancestors of contemporary humans for the first time with these 200,000-year-old bones.

According to the latest results, these newly discovered Denisovans lived when, according to a prior study, the temperature was warm and similar to today's. They lived in a habitat that featured broad-leaved woods and open grassland. According to butchered and burned animal remains discovered in the cave, the Denisovans may have eaten deer, gazelles, horses, bison, and woolly rhinoceroses.a

"We may deduce that Denisovans were well-adapted to their settings, making use of every resource at their disposal," Douka added.

The stone items discovered in the same strata as the Denisovan fossils are essentially scraping tools that may be used to deal with animal skins. According to the experts, the raw materials for these things most likely originated from river silt right outside the cave's entrance, and the river most likely aided the Denisovans in their hunting efforts.

"The site's strategic location in front of a water supply and the valley's entrance would have made it an excellent hunting location," Douka added.

There are no direct parallels in the north or central Asia for the stone tools associated with these new fossils. They do, however, resemble artifacts discovered in Israel between 250,000 and 400,000 years ago - a period related to critical advances in human technology, such as the widespread use of fire, according to the researchers.

According to the latest research, Denisovans may not have been the cave's sole residents at the time. Denisovans may have actively competed with carnivores like wolves and wild dogs for prey and maybe the cave itself, according to the bones of carnivores such as wolves and wild dogs.

"At the present, our team is working at Denisova Cave and a few other Asian locations, and we expect to disclose some exciting new findings shortly," Douka added.

Also Read: 5 Most Important Fossil Discoveries in the World

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