Extinct humans occupied the Tibetan plateau 160000 years ago

Extinct humans occupied the Tibetan plateau 160000 years ago

Sub: Science and tech

Sec : Msc

About Denisovans:

• Extinct ancient humans, contemporary with Neanderthals and Homo sapiens.
• Known to interbreed with Neanderthals and Homo sapiens.
• Rare remains make detailed knowledge about them scarce.
• Denisovan Activities:
  • Hunted and butchered various animals.
  • Consumed meat and bone marrow.
  • Used bones to produce tools.

Discovery of Denisovan Remains in Tibetan Cave- Research Details:

• Sample Size: Over 2,500 bones were analyzed.
• Location: Baishiya Karst Cave, Tibetan Plateau.
• Identification Method: Novel technique using bone collagen differences.
• Findings: Bone remains in Baishiya Karst Cave on the Tibetan Plateau indicate Denisovans survived for millennia.

Key Discoveries:

• Rib Bone: Identified as belonging to a Denisovan individual.
• Dating: The layer dated between 48,000 and 32,000 years ago, during early human dispersal across Eurasia.
• Climate Adaptation: Lived through cold periods and a warmer interglacial period from 200,000 to 40,000 years ago.

Animal Remains:

• The majority are from blue sheep (bharal), wild yaks, equids, extinct woolly rhinos, and spotted hyenas.
• Included small mammals (marmots) and birds.

Significance:

• Insights into Denisovan survival and adaptation in high-altitude and fluctuating climates.
• Enhanced understanding of their lifestyle and interaction with the environment.

Source: TH