A skull discovered in Harbin, China, believed to be 146,000 years old, has been identified as belonging to a Denisovan, following a detailed study of proteins preserved within the bone. Originally classified as a new species, Homo longi, in 2021 by paleoanthropologists, recent analyses of the skull revealed enough intact proteins to suggest a connection to the Denisovans, known from genetic markers in their bones and teeth.
Consequently, what was thought to be a distinct species was confirmed to actually be a Denisovan, offering researchers insight into the physical appearance of this enigmatic group.
The Harbin skull (left) juxtaposed with the Dali skull (right).
Revealing the Identity of Dragon Man
Paleoanthropologist Qiang Ji, representing the Chinese Academy of Sciences, along with his team, attempted to sequence ancient DNA from various specimens of the Harbin skull’s bone and its sole remaining tooth but faced challenges. In contrast, proteins have shown to be more resilient than DNA, leading researchers to successful discoveries within samples from the skull’s temporal bone, located on the sides of the head, behind the cheekbones.
They identified fragments from a total of 95 proteins. Of these, four exhibited unique variations characteristic of the Denisovan lineage, with the Harbin skull matching on three counts. This evidence allows for a definitive classification of the Harbin skull as belonging to a Denisovan, marking a significant moment in paleoanthropological research, particularly given the skull’s intriguing history.
Prior to gaining international attention, the skull remained largely obscure, known only to one individual from its discovery during the 1930s until 2021. Discovered amidst the Japanese occupation of China, the finder concealed the skull to prevent its capture by the occupying forces, keeping it hidden for much of his life.
