Ancient DNA from cave sediments reveals shifting populations in prehistoric Siberia
In short: Researchers analyzing 728 sediment samples from Denisova Cave found that Denisovans were the first hominins to inhabit the site. The study observed that Denisovan populations underwent a turnover that coincided with changes in local animal species, with Neanderthals arriving later in the site's history.
By extracting mitochondrial DNA from ancient sediments, scientists reconstructed a timeline of species turnover in southern Siberia. The findings suggest Denisovans and Neanderthals occupied the cave repeatedly, potentially until at least 45,000 years ago. However, the study relies on DNA recovered from soil rather than skeletal remains, which provides a broader but indirect view of past inhabitants.
Why it matters: Ancient DNA in cave soil can track the arrival and replacement of different human and animal species over hundreds of thousands of years.
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Sources
- Source: Research: Zavala et al. (2021). Pleistocene sediment DNA reveals hominin and faunal turnovers at Denisova Cave. Nature. · cc-by
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