丹尼索瓦人长什么样？中国14.6万年前“龙人”给了一张“脸”

Core Viewpoint - The recent research confirms that the "Longren" fossil, discovered in Harbin, China, is a member of the Denisovan lineage, providing significant insights into the morphology and distribution of Denisovans in East Asia, thus addressing a long-standing mystery in paleoanthropology [1][5][10]. Group 1: Research Findings - The "Longren" fossil, dated to at least 146,000 years ago, has been identified as belonging to the Denisovan group, which suggests a broader distribution of Denisovans across Asia [2][5]. - The study utilized advanced techniques in ancient protein and DNA analysis, achieving the highest quality ancient human protein data to date, identifying 95 endogenous proteins from the "Longren" fossil [6][9]. - The research established a direct link between the morphology of the "Longren" fossil and molecular evidence of Denisovans, marking a significant breakthrough in understanding the physical characteristics of this ancient human group [4][10]. Group 2: Methodological Innovations - The research team developed an automated system for ancient protein identification, which allowed for the analysis of a large number of peptide sequences, significantly enhancing the understanding of ancient human protein groups [6][9]. - Innovative extraction methods for ancient DNA from dental calculus were employed, enabling the successful retrieval of Denisovan-specific DNA from extremely small samples [6][9]. - The study's methodologies provide a new framework for future research on ancient human fossils, particularly in linking morphological and genetic data [10]. Group 3: Implications for Future Research - The findings open new avenues for exploring the interactions between Denisovans and other ancient human populations in East Asia, raising questions about their migration patterns and genetic contributions to modern populations [10]. - The research serves as a model for future studies aiming to connect complete fossil morphology with molecular evidence, which could further elucidate the diversity and evolutionary history of Denisovans and their relation to contemporary human groups [10].