The proteome of Middle Pleistocene Xujiayao and common Denisovan morphology.

Proteomic and morphological evidence links Xujiayao fossils to the Denisovan lineage, with 18 endogenous proteins and shared traits indicating their Denisovan identity.

• Why it matters: Understanding the evolutionary position of late Middle Pleistocene hominins in East Asia is crucial for clarifying human ancestry, but their taxonomy remains debated and uncertain.
• What they did: Researchers analyzed Xujiayao specimens using palaeoproteomic analysis to identify proteins and compared their morphology with other East Asian archaic Homo fossils, focusing on shared traits.
• The result: Findings suggest Xujiayao fossils belong to the Denisovan lineage, exhibiting traits of Homo erectus, modern humans, and late Neanderthals, which enhances understanding of Denisovan features and diversity.