The Denisovans

When Homo sapiens were thought to mate with Homo Neanderthals and spread throughout the world, most modern humans from Europe and Asia were discovered to have about 2% Neanderthal DNA. Perhaps you may have detected a degree of this DNA in your own genetic test? However, Homo sapiens weren’t just mating with the Homo Neanderthals. Apparently, these species also mated with another branch of the human family tree known as the Denisovans.

The Denisovans are quite a recent discovery in the world of evolutionary studies. As a matter of fact, definite evidence of the species’ existence has only been brought to light during the 21st century. In 2010, a team of scientists from the Max Planck Institute announced that they found evidence of these new Denisovans species after analyzing a finger bone and a tooth that they found in the Altai Mountains in Siberia.