Taiwanese Jawbone Confirmed as Denisovan Fossil, Expanding Their Known Range

Advanced protein analysis identifies the Penghu 1 jawbone as belonging to a male Denisovan, revealing their adaptability to diverse climates and extending their geographic range to subtropical Taiwan.

The Penghu 1 jawbone, dredged from Taiwan's Penghu Channel, has been confirmed as Denisovan using paleoproteomic techniques that identified unique protein markers.
This discovery marks the first Denisovan fossil found in subtropical Taiwan, expanding their known habitat beyond Siberia and the Tibetan Plateau.
Analysis of the jawbone revealed robust morphology, with large molars and a sturdy mandible, distinguishing Denisovans from Neanderthals and Homo sapiens.
The fossil belonged to a male Denisovan, as indicated by Y-chromosome peptides detected in the dental enamel.
The exact age of the fossil remains uncertain, with estimates ranging from 10,000 to 190,000 years based on associated animal fossils and sea-level data.