The Other Denisova Cave Individuals

Denny is the most famous of the Denisova Cave individuals, but she is not the only one who has provided important scientific insights.

Understanding her in context requires knowing who else lived in — or at least died in — this remarkable cave.

The Denisova 3 finger bone that launched the discovery of the Denisovans in 2010 came from a young girl of perhaps ten to twelve years of age.

Her mitochondrial DNA was so different from both modern humans and Neanderthals that it immediately revealed the existence of an entirely new lineage of ancient humans.