High-altitude cave used by Tibetan Buddhists yields a Denisovan fossil

A high-altitude cave on the Tibetan Plateau, known as the Baishiya Karst Cave, has yielded a Denisovan fossil, shedding light on the diet of these ancient human relatives. The cave, located over 3,000 meters above sea level, was discovered to have been occupied by Denisovans for at least 100,000 years. Analysis of animal bones found in the cave revealed that Denisovans consumed a variety of animals, including sheep, yaks, carnivores, and birds. The most significant find from the site is the Xiahe mandible, the most substantial Denisovan fossil discovered to date. Researchers used a technique called zooarchaeology by mass spectrometry (ZooMS) to identify nearly 80 percent of the bone fragments found at the site. This discovery provides valuable insights into the behavior and lifestyle of Denisovans, who were previously known mainly through fragmentary bone and teeth remains.