Researchers have made a remarkable discovery using a new technique to identify ancient human remains. They found a Neanderthal bone fragment hidden amongst thousands of tiny bone pieces from Denisova Cave in Siberia. This finding, published in the journal Scientific Reports, sheds new light on human evolution and the potential of a revolutionary method called Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS).
The international team, led by Oxford University’s Professor Thomas Higham and student Sam Brown, sifted through 2,300 bone fragments, most belonging to animals like mammoths and reindeer. Utilizing ZooMS, they analyzed the collagen peptide sequences, unique fingerprints that distinguish different species. This microscopic analysis revealed a single bone fragment with a human signature, a mere 2.5 centimeters long.
“Finding this tiny bone that yields so much information about our human past was just fantastic,” exclaimed Sam Brown upon discovering the human fingerprint. “The bone itself is not special and would be easily missed amongst the numerous fragments.”
Further analysis by Professor Svante Pääbo’s group at the Max Planck Institute in Leipzig confirmed the bone belonged to a Neanderthal with a mitochondrial genome closely related to other Altai Neanderthals. Radiocarbon dating placed the bone at over 50,000 years old, consistent with its location deep within the cave. Interestingly, the paper also suggests the bone might have been briefly digested by a hyena before ending up in the cave sediments.
Denisova Cave holds immense significance for archaeologists studying the past 100,000 years. The frigid climate offers exceptional preservation of bones, perfect for genetic and radiocarbon dating techniques. Notably, in 2010, Pääbo’s team discovered a new human species, the Denisovans, using advanced genetic methods at this very site. Their research also suggests interbreeding between Denisovans, Neanderthals, and modern humans across Eurasia and Europe.
The Ice Age, however, posed another challenge. Carnivores like hyenas and wolves frequented the cave, gnawing bones into tiny fragments. This explains why over 95% of the recovered bone pieces were difficult to identify.
“This is a real breakthrough,” said Professor Higham. “ZooMS allows us to search the archaeological record for even tiny fossils with preserved proteins. This is particularly important for the Paleolithic period, where remains of Neanderthals, Denisovans, and early humans are scarce. Ideally, these fragments can be dated and analyzed for DNA. Understanding the encounters between modern humans and Neanderthals is crucial, and fossils are key. We hope this discovery paves the way for finding more human remains.”
The ability to pinpoint human fossils amidst a multitude of animal bones offers a new dimension to archaeological research. ZooMS has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of human evolution by unearthing hidden clues from the past, one tiny fragment at a time.
Source: University of Oxford