User:Meredithmeyer/sandbox

Artifacts
Within Denisova Cave possible Denisovan artifacts were excavated among the fossils. These artifacts were found in the Initial Paleolithic level and included several decorative pieces like rings, beads, and pendants made from animal remains. In addition to these, tools and weapons, including scrapers and blades, were also found from the Upper Paleolithic period.

Evidence of interbreeding
added to title to section

Possible dispersal routes
Took genome data and tested

Added section after interbreeding about possible dispersal routes of Denisovans.

Possible Dispersal Routes

Archaeological evidence suggests that the Denisovans were a result of an earlier distinct migration out of Africa. After leaving Africa the common ancestor of Denisovans and Neanderthals had experienced interbreeding and low gene flow before separating and going their separate ways. Originally, it was believed that Denisovans only existed in Siberia, however new data argues this is not completely true. Through cross examining the genome sequences of modern humans, chimpanzees, Neanderthals, and Denisovans, researchers found that Denisovan genetic material was present in Southeast Asians and Oceanians. This means that interbreeding between Denisovans and modern humans potentially occurred in Southeast Asia, suggesting that Denisovan populations spanned from Siberia to Southeast Asia. Additionally, genome data from the southeast Asian population was tested for Denisovan DNA and the results were compiled. Denisovan population groups are theorised to have migrated multiple times in Southeast Asia, the first of which had spread throughout Southeast Asia and had settled in Papua New Guinea 46,000 years ago. The second wave came 30,000  years ago and also reached Papua New Guinea. A third and final wave was thought to have introgressed in east Asia. However, there is not as much evidence found in the Denisovan DNA to pinpoint a solid timeframe for this third migration.

Meredithmeyer (talk) 22:42, 10 November 2019 (UTC)Meredith

See also[edit]

 * Timeline of human evolution – Chronological outline of major events in the development of the human species
 * Early human migrations – Descriptions of the migrations of early humans
 * Homo luzonensis – Extinct species of the genus Homo'
 * Homo floresiensis – Extinct species of the genus Homo