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.

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.