More recently, fragments from additional individuals have been identified through the combination of protein analysis (ZooMS) and DNA sequencing.

These additional individuals — from both the main chamber and the East Gallery of the cave — are extending our knowledge of who passed through Denisova Cave and what their genetic relationships were.

The cave thus contains evidence of at least three distinct types of ancient humans: Denisovans, Neanderthals, and now, with Denny, a first-generation hybrid between the two.

Whether members of all three categories were present at the same time, or whether the different individuals represent different time periods of occupation, is partly resolvable through the dating of the sediment layers in which the remains were found.

The dating evidence is consistent with a picture in which both Neanderthals and Denisovans used the cave at various points over a long period, with the youngest remains in the layers that also contain the most recent stone tool technologies.