Nature
Published January 30, 2019 13:00 ET
The Denisovans were a hominin species whose fossils are known only from a few bones and teeth found in Denisova Cave, Siberia. In one of two related papers, researchers present 50 new radiocarbon dates from the site, and describe three new Denisovan fossil fragments. Based on the oldest fossil, Denisovans were at the site as early as 195,000 years ago. Some bone and tooth artifacts found at the site were made 49,000 and 43,000 years ago, making them the oldest artifacts unearthed in northern Eurasia and possible products of Denisovan crafting.
Related paper (no Canadian authors): preview and after publication
Canadian co-author: Bence Viola, University of Toronto – bence.viola@utoronto.ca