Scientists Identify Mysterious Jawbone from Antique Shop in Taiwan as Belonging to a Male Denisovan

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The fossil, called Penghu 1, is one of the few known pieces of physical evidence from the Denisovans, extinct relatives of modern humans. It suggests the species lived in diverse environments

Sarah Kuta – Daily Correspondent

April 11, 2025 2:52 p.m.

In a remarkable discovery for paleoanthropology, researchers have identified a fossilized jawbone as belonging to the Denisovans, an ancient group of hominins whose existence was first documented in 2010. The jawbone, known as Penghu 1, was initially uncovered in 2008 by fossil collector Kun-Yu Tsai while browsing through antique items and was later donated to the National Museum of Natural Science in Taiwan.

Initially, this fossil sparked intrigue among scientists due to its unique features. The jawbone resembles that of contemporary humans, yet it notably lacks the distinct chin present in modern human anatomy, leading to hypotheses linking it to ancient human ancestors. This week, findings published in the journal Science have confirmed it as a Denisovan specimen, expanding understanding of this mysterious lineage’s adaptability to different climates.

After its recovery by commercial fishermen from the Penghu Channel, the fossil became darkened and mud-coated, complicating its study. Early attempts to analyze DNA from the specimen failed due to environmental conditions in Taiwan that are detrimental to DNA preservation.

Researchers persevered by employing a new strategy focused on analyzing ancient proteins found in the bone and tooth enamel. As proteins tend to survive longer than DNA in fossils, this method proved successful. The team discovered specific protein variants indicative of Denisovans, providing definitive evidence of the jawbone’s lineage.

Bastien Llamas, a geneticist from the University of Adelaide, remarked that these protein signatures are exclusive to Denisovans, revealing a distinct identity absent in both Neanderthals and modern humans. Additionally, a Y chromosome protein indicated that the individual from which the jawbone was derived was male.

Despite this significant breakthrough, the age of the jawbone remains uncertain. Researchers have employed various dating methods, such as radiocarbon and uranium-series dating, but the fossil’s condition only allows for a broad timeframe. Estimates range between 10,000 to 70,000 years ago or between 130,000 to 190,000 years ago, periods characterized by lower sea levels that could have exposed the area now submerged.

The identification of Penghu 1 as a Denisovan adds a crucial piece to the limited pool of Denisovan artifacts available to scientists, with only a few fossils discovered over the past 15 years. Each new finding contributes to a broader understanding of this enigmatic species, according to molecular anthropologist Frido Welker from the University of Copenhagen, who emphasized that “every piece that is informative changes our picture.”

As researchers continue to unravel the Denisovans’ place within human evolution, skeletal evidence like Penghu 1 fosters insights into their interactions with other hominins, particularly Homo sapiens. The interbreeding evidenced in modern human DNA raises questions about the historical overlap between these two lineages, prompting ongoing investigations into the implications of such interactions in various geographical contexts.

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