đŸ§¬ DYK: The Denisovans Are Our Long-Lost Cousins?
Did you know a mysterious human species called the Denisovans once walked the Earth—and lives on in our DNA?
Discovered in 2010 from a single pinky bone in Siberia’s Denisova Cave, this ancient cousin of Neanderthals left barely any trace. Yet today, up to 6% of some modern human DNA, especially among Melanesians, Aboriginal Australians, and some East and Southeast Asian populations, comes from Denisovans.
They likely had advanced tools, survived in high altitudes (passing on genes that help Tibetans thrive in thin air), and even interbred with both humans and Neanderthals, creating a genetic mosaic across ancient Eurasia.
đŸ¦´ One finger. A few teeth. A ghost lineage suddenly awakened.
We’re still piecing together the story of the Denisovans—our shadow siblings whose whispers remain in our cells.
Would you like a matching companion image or a multi-panel DYK carousel with Neanderthals and Homo floresiensis included?
