# Is the molecular identification of the Harbin cranium sound? · Who were the Denisovans? The Harbin "Dragon Man" cranium > Three answers have been proposed. Both the proteome and the calculus mtDNA are endogenous and Denisovan. leads, with evidence 2 for: supported by its… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/denisovan-identity/questions/QST0CZKZAYJ3G7F/is-the-molecular-identification-of-the-harbin-cranium-sound Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:57:16+00:00 --- **0** # Is the molecular identification of the Harbin cranium sound? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [Which fossils are Denisovans, and so what did Denisovans look like?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/denisovan-identity/questions/QST0CZKZAPR2WHJ/which-fossils-are-denisovans-and-so-what-did-denisovans-look)·3 answers·0·0 following **Answered: Both the proteome and the calculus mtDNA are endogenous and Denisovan.** Passed its tests and review. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. Both the proteome and the calculus mtDNA are endogenous and Denisovan. leads, with evidence 2 for: supported by its tests. Two are still possible. ## Why it matters The identification rests on two tests with different weaknesses: proteins from the petrous bone, and DNA from dental calculus, which can hold DNA from other sources⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CZKZ1NP4N96/the-proteome-of-the-late-middle-pleistocene-harbin)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CZKZ1DW4XNV/denisovan-mitochondrial-dna-from-dental-calculus-of-the-146). The case is strong only if both hold. ## Answers 3 [**Both the proteome and the calculus mtDNA are endogenous and Denisovan.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/denisovan-identity/answers/ANS0CZKZE447AXH/both-the-proteome-and-the-calculus-mtdna-are-endogenous-and) Supported by its tests Evidence: 2 for Most likely [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/denisovan-identity/answers/ANS0CZKZFB62YMP/none-of-these) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: none yet Disputed [**The calculus mtDNA comes from another source deposited on the tooth, and the protein variants are too few to…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/denisovan-identity/answers/ANS0CZKZEVJ6YYT/the-calculus-mtdna-comes-from-another-source-deposited-on) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 1 for Disputed ## History 1. 2025[Fu et al. puts forward: both the proteome and the calculus mtDNA are endogenous and Denisovan.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CZKZ1NP4N96/the-proteome-of-the-late-middle-pleistocene-harbin) 1. 2025[Fu et al.: the proteome is the best preserved from any hominin, from the bone itself.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CZKZ1NP4N96/the-proteome-of-the-late-middle-pleistocene-harbin)For: Both the proteome and the calculus mtDNA are endogenous and Denisovan. 1. 2025[Fu et al.: the two independent tests point to the same lineage.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CZKZ1DW4XNV/denisovan-mitochondrial-dna-from-dental-calculus-of-the-146)For: Both the proteome and the calculus mtDNA are endogenous and Denisovan. 1. 2025[Fu et al.: no DNA survived in the tooth or petrous bone, so the mtDNA comes only from calculus.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CZKZ1DW4XNV/denisovan-mitochondrial-dna-from-dental-calculus-of-the-146)For: The calculus mtDNA comes from another source deposited on the tooth, and the protein variants are too few to… 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/denisovan-identity/questions/QST0CZKZAYJ3G7F/is-the-molecular-identification-of-the-harbin-cranium-sound%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/denisovan-identity/questions/QST0CZKZAYJ3G7F/is-the-molecular-identification-of-the-harbin-cranium-sound%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/denisovan-identity/questions/QST0CZKZAYJ3G7F/is-the-molecular-identification-of-the-harbin-cranium-sound%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/denisovan-identity/questions/QST0CZKZAYJ3G7F/is-the-molecular-identification-of-the-harbin-cranium-sound%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/denisovan-identity/questions/QST0CZKZAYJ3G7F/is-the-molecular-identification-of-the-harbin-cranium-sound%23add-source) Where it fits Who were the Denisovans? The Harbin "Dragon Man" cranium [**Which fossils are Denisovans, and so what did Denisovans look like?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/denisovan-identity/questions/QST0CZKZAPR2WHJ/which-fossils-are-denisovans-and-so-what-did-denisovans-look)Key question · The large, robust Middle and Late Pleistocene crania of East Asia (Harbin, Xujiayao and their allies) are… **Is the molecular identification of the Harbin cranium sound?** You're here · Both the proteome and the calculus mtDNA are endogenous and Denisovan. [What should the lineage be called?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/denisovan-identity/questions/QST0CZKZB6C1Y2W/what-should-the-lineage-be-called)Most likely · homo longi, the first formal name given to a member of the lineage [ Ask a question under this one ]