A mysterious jawbone dredged from the seafloor reveals a hidden Denisovan presence in Taiwan.

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: For years, a fossilized mandible pulled from the depths of the Penghu Channel puzzled scientists. Originally linked to various archaic groups, this robust jawbone has finally been identified as belonging to a male Denisovan, proving these enigmatic humans once roamed far beyond their known Siberian and Tibetan strongholds.

The Penghu 1 mandible was recovered by fishermen 25 kilometers off the western coast of Taiwan, dredged from a submarine channel 60 to 120 meters deep. This area was once a terrestrial land bridge connecting Taiwan to the Asian mainland during Pleistocene glacial periods, when sea levels were significantly lower. Because the fossil was found in a submerged, unstratified context, its exact age has been difficult to pinpoint, though researchers estimate it dates to within the last 200,000 years.

For over a decade, the specimen’s identity remained a subject of intense debate. Its morphology—characterized by a thick, chinless jaw and large teeth—initially led some to compare it to Homo erectus or other archaic hominins. However, recent proteomic analysis of proteins trapped within the teeth and bone has provided a breakthrough. By comparing these protein signatures to those of the Xiahe 2 Denisovan rib found on the Tibetan Plateau, scientists confirmed that Penghu 1 is a Denisovan.

This discovery significantly expands the known geographic range of the Denisovans, suggesting they were highly adaptable, capable of surviving in both the cold, open environments of northern Asia and the subtropical woodlands of the southeast. Some experts, such as Chris Stringer, suggest that these fossils, alongside others like the 'Dragon Man' from Harbin, might eventually be grouped under the species name Homo longi. Whether Denisovans and Homo longi are synonymous or distinct remains a key question for future research as more skeletal evidence emerges.

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