Researchers used a new acid-wash protein extraction method on 400,000-year-old teeth from Zhoukoudian, Hexian, and Sunjiadong in China. The proteins identified five males and one female. A genetic variant confirmed Hexian as Homo erectus, while another found in these ancient specimens—now present in ~21% of people in the Philippines—suggests Homo erectus contributed to the so-called Denisovan "ghost lineage" DNA.
400,000-year-old Homo erectus teeth reveal Denisovan DNA connection in China
Key facts
- 400,000-year-old Homo erectus teeth studied in China using new acid-wash protein extraction technique that preserves tooth structure
- Six teeth analyzed from three sites: Zhoukoudian (Peking Man), Hexian in Anhui, and Sunjiadong in Henan
- Proteins in tooth enamel identified five males and one female among the specimens
- A previously unknown genetic variant confirmed Hexian teeth as Homo erectus rather than Denisovans
- A second variant previously thought unique to Denisovans was found in Homo erectus, suggesting Homo erectus as the source of the 'ghost lineage' DNA in Denisovans
- This variant appears today in approximately 21% of people in the Philippines, 1% in India, and 0.71% in Papua New Guinea
Sources
nature.com
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