The word ‘Denisovan’ is sometimes mentioned in media in reference to
This questions was previously asked in
UPSC CSP Previous Year Paper (2019)
fossils of a kind of dinosaurs
Incorrect Answeran early human species
Correct Answera cave system found in North-East India.
Incorrect Answera geological period in the history of Indian subcontinent
Incorrect AnswerExplanation:
The Denisovans or Denisova hominins are an extinct species or subspecies of archaic humans in the genus Homo.
Scientists have uncovered the most complete remains yet from the mysterious ancient-hominin group known as the Denisovans.
The jawbone, discovered high on the Tibetan Plateau and dated to more than 160,000 years ago, is also the first Denisovan specimen found outside the Siberian cave in which the hominin was uncovered a decade ago — confirming suspicions that Denisovans were more widespread than the fossil record currently suggests.
The research marks the first time an ancient human has been identified solely through the analysis of proteins. With no usable DNA, scientists examined proteins in the specimen’s teeth, raising hopes that more fossils could be identified even when DNA is not preserved.
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By: Abhipedia