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Which fossils are Denisovans, and so what did Denisovans look like?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·4 answers·0·0 following
Answered: The large, robust Middle and Late Pleistocene crania of East Asia (Harbin, Xujiayao and their allies) are…Passed its tests and review.

Where it stands

Four answers have been proposed. The large, robust Middle and Late Pleistocene crania of East Asia (Harbin, Xujiayao and their allies) are… leads, with evidence 4 for: supported by its tests. Three are still possible. Of the two narrower questions under it, one is answered.

Why it matters

For a decade the Denisovans were a genome without a body⁠[1]. Matching them to fossils turns a genetic population into an anatomical one that can be compared, dated and mapped. This is the question the 2025 and 2026 results answered⁠[2]⁠[3].

Answers 4

Evidence: 4 for
Most likely
None of these.
Failed a test; not refuted outright
Evidence: none yet
Disputed
Evidence: 1 against
Disputed
Evidence: 1 against
Disputed

History

  1. Ni et al. puts forward: the large, robust Middle and Late Pleistocene crania of East Asia (Harbin, Xujiayao and their allies) are…
  2. Bae & Wu puts forward: the Denisovans correspond to only part of this group (Homo juluensis), and Harbin, Dali and Jinniushan form a…
  3. Fu et al.: harbin proteome: 95 proteins, three Denisovan-derived variants, clusters with Denisova 3.For: The large, robust Middle and Late Pleistocene crania of East Asia (Harbin, Xujiayao and their allies) are…
  4. Fu et al.: harbin dental calculus mtDNA falls within Denisovan variation, on the early Altai branch.For: The large, robust Middle and Late Pleistocene crania of East Asia (Harbin, Xujiayao and their allies) are…
  5. Fu et al.: the Harbin cranium carries Denisovan variants in proteins and mtDNA.Against: The East Asian crania are regional archaic H. sapiens or H. heidelbergensis, and Denisovans remain without a…
  6. Xing et al. puts forward: the East Asian crania are regional archaic H. sapiens or H. heidelbergensis, and Denisovans remain without a…
  7. Xing et al.: two Xujiayao specimens carry the Denisovan-specific COL1A2-996K variant.For: The large, robust Middle and Late Pleistocene crania of East Asia (Harbin, Xujiayao and their allies) are…
  8. Xing et al.: both Harbin and Xujiayao carry Denisovan variants.Against: The Denisovans correspond to only part of this group (Homo juluensis), and Harbin, Dali and Jinniushan form a…
  9. Asked on this site
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