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Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Big New Finding Regarding Human Evolution

Dig in the Denisova Cave (Денисова пещера) in Southern Siberia. Image Source: BBC.

BBC is reporting (here), along with several other major news outlets worldwide, that a new Prehistoric humanoid species, called 'Denisovans,' has been discovered.




Video Source: Youtube.

From the BBC:
There is also evidence that this population was widespread in Eurasia.  A study in Nature journal shows that Denisovans co-existed with Neanderthals and interbred with our species - perhaps around 50,000 years ago.

An international group of researchers sequenced a complete genome from one of the ancient hominins (human-like creatures), based on nuclear DNA extracted from a finger bone.

According to the researchers, this provides confirmation there were at least four distinct types of human in existence when anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens sapiens) first left their African homeland.

DNA from a tooth ... and a finger bone show the Denisovans were a distinct group[.] Along with modern humans, scientists knew about the Neanderthals and a dwarf human species found on the Indonesian island of Flores nicknamed "The Hobbit". To this list, experts must now add the Denisovans.
Original Nature article: Published online 22 December 2010 Nature 468, 1012 (2010) doi:10.1038/4681012a .

2 comments:

  1. I just found out that I am 2.9% Denisovan and 1.5% Neanderthal. The parallels within my own life and certain traits attributed to 'elves' are surreal. I have an incredibly good immune system (accounting for alleged magic) and am 6'2''. I think your poster is on to something. My maternal lineage is u2e1c and its mutation is found in an "elite" warrior from Mongolia.
    http://volgagermanbrit.us/documents/Kim_et_al.pdf

    National Genographic 2.0

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    Replies
    1. How did you find this out, Anon? Was this through the Nat Geo gene testing kit thing?

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