This week’s discovery · Human origins

The cave that kept
a human secret

Ancient proteins are helping researchers put bones, tools, and a place on the map of the Denisovans.

A broken bone can look like very little. Give researchers the right molecular tools, though, and that fragment can become a witness.

At Bianfu Cave in southwestern China, a team screened more than 60,000 bone fragments. Selected specimens underwent protein analysis, identifying two skull fragments and part of a radius—the forearm bone on the thumb side. Proteins also confirmed two teeth as Denisovan. [1]

Reading what survived

Attempts to recover ancient DNA from the three bones failed. Surviving proteins supplied another route to identification. The bone-bearing layers date to roughly 167,000–134,000 years ago. The radius adds direct evidence of Denisovan forearm anatomy. [1]

From bones to everyday life

A companion study examines the cave’s fossils, tools, and environment. Its authors describe hunting of medium to large animals, straightforward stone-tool production, and extensive use of unmodified bones. They interpret this as an approach that made effective use of available objects. [2]

That is the engaging part of this discovery: a little more of the working life behind the ancient name comes into view.

Take one closer look

Open Figure 1 in the protein study and find the radius fragment. Then compare that small piece of evidence with the large story it helps researchers investigate.