Chinese Teeth Link Homo erectus to Denisovans

Why this is here: The researchers identified the AMBN-A253G mutation in Homo erectus teeth, providing the first evidence that specimens from Zhoukoudian, Hexian, and Sunjiadong belonged to the same population.

Scientists at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in China examined fossil teeth to explore connections between Homo erectus and Denisovans. The team developed new methods for analyzing ancient proteins without damaging the fossils themselves, using a micro-destructive acid etching approach. They analyzed six Homo erectus teeth from three sites—Zhoukoudian, Hexian, and Sunjiadong—dating back at least 400,000 years.

Researchers identified a previously unknown genetic mutation, AMBN-A253G, common to the H. erectus specimens from these sites. They also found the AMBN-M273V variant, once thought exclusive to Denisovans, present in these same Homo erectus populations. This suggests the variant may have moved from H. erectus to Denisovans, and eventually into some modern human populations through interbreeding.

The study acknowledges that further research is needed to fully understand the extent of genetic exchange between these ancient groups and the precise mechanisms of their evolution. The team’s new toolkit for paleoproteomics promises to aid future investigations into ancient hominin relationships.