Chinese scientists confirmed that 20 Xujiayao fossils, unearthed in northern China in the 1970s, belong to Denisovans, a distinct ancient human group, through palaeoproteomic analysis and morphological comparisons, resolving long-standing debates about their classification.
Chinese researchers have definitively identified the Xujiayao hominins—fossils discovered in Hebei Province in the 1970s—as Denisovans, a previously enigmatic branch of ancient humans, using advanced protein analysis and morphological studies. The findings, published in Nature on October 21, 2026, mark a breakthrough in understanding Denisovan biology and their role in human evolution.
Methodology and Key Findings
The team, led by Qiaomei Fu of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, analyzed 20 Xujiayao fossils dating to 138,000–199,000 years ago. By extracting ancient proteins, they identified a unique amino acid variant (lysine at position 996 of the COL1A2 collagen protein) present exclusively in Denisovans, distinguishing them from Neanderthals and modern humans. This molecular marker, combined with 99% statistical confidence, confirmed the fossils’ Denisovan identity, as reported by Live Science and Archaeology News Online Magazine.
Palaeoproteomic analysis revealed that Xujiayao remains shared traits with Homo erectus, such as a low, wide braincase and thick cranial bones, while also displaying features akin to Neanderthals and modern humans, including simplified premolar chewing surfaces. The study established the first morphology-based framework for identifying Denisovans, shifting their classification from molecular-only evidence to observable physical traits.
Physical Traits and Comparisons
The Xujiayao fossils exhibited a distinctive skull shape: a low, broad cranium with thick bones, a massive brow ridge, and a flat midface. These features contrasted with Neanderthals’ stronger builds and modern humans’ smaller skulls.
With so many Denisovans identified, I'm not that surprised that Xujiayao is a Denisovan; however this is a highly important paper as it refutes claims about it being a different species than the Harbin cranium, and refutes it being an early Sapiens (reinforcing OOA) https://t.co/Zj7MMmAsVH pic.twitter.com/ivWORlrGfC
— https://x.com/DanTabin/status/2112993959857512879
Despite lacking facial remains, comparisons with other fossils suggest Denisovans had receding foreheads, prominent brow ridges, and less pronounced jaw projections. The study linked these traits to Denisovans’ genetic diversity.
Implications for Human Evolution
The research reshapes understanding of Denisovan distribution and evolution. By confirming Xujiayao as Denisovan, the study extends their known range from Siberia to nearly all of East Asia, as noted in Global Times and People. This challenges previous assumptions about their limited geographic scope and genetic distinctiveness.
This fundamentally improves this situation by providing clarity to the identity of the Denisovans,
said the Chinese Academy of Sciences in a statement cited by Aol. The findings also suggest Denisovans interbred with modern humans and adapted to diverse environments over hundreds of thousands of years.
Ongoing Debates and Future Research
While the study resolves key questions, uncertainties remain. Other East Asian fossils from the Middle Pleistocene may also belong to Denisovans, though classification debates persist.
Xujiayao fossils (199kya, China), once named Homo juluensis, are now confirmed as Denisovans via ancient proteins by IVPP. pic.twitter.com/LHz4E2xvRr
— https://x.com/tg128/status/2114039551660536142
More on Xujiayao
The proteome of Middle Pleistocene Xujiayao and common Denisovan morphologyhttps://t.co/wi1CmNXiHF
— https://x.com/ausar_the/status/2115043917494427828
Scientists analyzing ancient fossils in China have discovered that Denisovans had massive skulls, broad, flat faces, prominent brow ridges, and exceptionally thick bones.For over a decade, Denisovans were known almost exclusively through tiny fragments of DNA found in Siberia.…
— https://x.com/ChrisShaff3r/status/2113705532167004457
Does the COL1A2 R996K mutation really prove that a fossil belongs to the Denisovan lineage? https://t.co/JVYnxHRGPTRecent paleoproteomic studies have identified COL1A2 R996K in several fossils classified as Denisovans, including Xujiayao from China. But does sharing a single… pic.twitter.com/PaY8GgOJlV
— https://x.com/shi_huang5/status/2113256734638981211
Read a report early on that Denisovens were reportedly linked to where blue eyes came from, now with science rivisions their eyes became brown 😂 science the perfect place for those who love to make things up and call it theory pic.twitter.com/k32vb3qrAl
— https://x.com/planetships/status/2114370254868512940