Denisovan Mandible Discovery Sheds Light on Ancient High-Altitude Adaptation
A Denisovan mandible discovered in 2019 in Baishiya Karst Cave on the Tibetan Plateau has provided significant insights into the ancient human lineage. The mandible, dating back at least 160,000 years, was found at an altitude of about 3,280 meters above sea level. This discovery indicates that Denisovans occupied high altitudes long before the formation of present-day Tibetan populations. Although no usable Denisovan DNA was recovered from the jaw, ancient proteins helped identify the Denisovan lineage. The exact donor population remains unknown, but the finding supports the theory that Denisovans contributed to the genetic makeup of modern Tibetans, particularly in their adaptation to high altitudes. 
