Genetic history of an archaic hominin group from Denisova Cave in Siberia

Using DNA extracted from a finger bone found in Denisova Cave in southern Siberia, we have sequenced the genome of an archaic hominin to about 1.9-fold coverage. This individual is from a group that shares a common origin with Neanderthals. This population was not involved in the putative gene flow from Neanderthals into Eurasians; however, the data suggest that it contributed 4–6% of its genetic material to the genomes of present-day Melanesians. We designate this hominin population ‘Denisovans’ and suggest that it may have been widespread in Asia during the Late Pleistocene epoch. A tooth found in Denisova Cave carries a mitochondrial genome highly similar to that of the finger bone. This tooth shares no…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: 0754461, 1032255
• M
  Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
• MF
  Max-Planck-Institut für Evolutionäre Anthropologie
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: GM40282, R01-GM40282
• OO
  Office of International Science and Engineering