Homo erectus interbreeding with Denisovans changes human evolution history

Scientists found evidence that Homo erectus and Denisovans interbred 400,000 years ago based on protein analysis of teeth from China.

Researchers extracted proteins from teeth belonging to Homo erectus, an early human species discovered in China. The analysis suggests these ancient humans mated with Denisovans, a group of mysterious ancestors. This genetic connection may have eventually spread to modern populations living in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines and Papua New Guinea.

The discovery suggests that what was once considered an evolutionary dead end may have left lasting genetic traces in people alive today.