> Melanesians were found to have a mysterious third archaic Homo species along with their Denisovan (3–4%) and Neanderthal (2%) ancestors in a genetic admixture with their otherwise modern Homo sapiens sapiens genomes.
Are you saying the divergence couldn't have been that great if there was some level of interbreeding, or are you saying something else? "Derive" seems like a strong word in this case, considering the low single-digit percentage of denisovan DNA in any modern humans.
There is a really fascinating (IMHO) podcast about the use of modern DNA analysis and the insights into ancient populations on the After-On podcast with David Reich
https://after-on.com/episodes-31-60/034
Up until podcast, I didnt even know there was a branch called Denisovans. Although not generally a big interest of mine, I found it interesting enough to read Reich's book which was a fascinating detective story and a very new view onto ancient history.
> Please don't insinuate that someone hasn't read an article. "Did you even read the article? It mentions that" can be shortened to "The article mentions that."
Gentle reminder of this HN Guideline, which I find helpful for civil discourse. It's easy to miss something in the middle of an article.
Re: the OP's question, while the article does confirm it was found by DNA analysis, I also find it surprising that DNA can be extracted at 500k+ years. I'm curious if there are any experts on it that could chime in here on what modern limits are for that type of stuff.
> when they had the question in mind before they even read the thing.
I don't think you can assume that. I think a fair number of people could read the article and then afterward realize they don't know how it was confirmed.
The Denisovans are said to be the missing link to the Asuras & the giants as documented in the ancient Indian / Hindu epics like Puranas, Raamayana and Mahaabhaarata.
For example Ghatotkacha was one such huge & brave Asura who could kill humans by the 100's. There have been many others, like Kumbhakarna, Bakasura, Hiranyakashapu etc. These are so old that their remains even if found cannot be dated with modern carbon dating or studies via DNA analysis.
Researchers estimate that these events are at least 20,000 years old. At least!
It's amazing and exciting that we know so little about a human lineage that contributed a measurable amount of DNA back to us hundreds of thousands of years after our lineages diverged.
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[ 3.9 ms ] story [ 48.5 ms ] threadhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanesia
> People from Melanesia may carry genetic evidence of a previously unknown extinct hominid species
https://phys.org/news/2016-11-people-melanesia-genetic-evide...
is likely a wrong description. We share around 90% of DNA with pigs, cucumber and what not (figures estimated, I'm not into Bio).
> DNA analysis proves that the piece is Denisovan, though it’s too old to date with radiocarbon techniques.
Gentle reminder of this HN Guideline, which I find helpful for civil discourse. It's easy to miss something in the middle of an article.
Re: the OP's question, while the article does confirm it was found by DNA analysis, I also find it surprising that DNA can be extracted at 500k+ years. I'm curious if there are any experts on it that could chime in here on what modern limits are for that type of stuff.
I'm finding it hard to believe AP simply "missed it" when they had the question in mind before they even read the thing.
I don't think you can assume that. I think a fair number of people could read the article and then afterward realize they don't know how it was confirmed.
For example Ghatotkacha was one such huge & brave Asura who could kill humans by the 100's. There have been many others, like Kumbhakarna, Bakasura, Hiranyakashapu etc. These are so old that their remains even if found cannot be dated with modern carbon dating or studies via DNA analysis.
Researchers estimate that these events are at least 20,000 years old. At least!