- Archaeological News
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Image Credit: Fu et al., Nature (2026)
Ancient Proteins Reveal Genetic Links Between Homo erectus and Denisovans
Researchers have successfully extracted and analysed ancient enamel proteins from six Homo erectus individuals discovered at three major archaeological sites in China, providing some of the first informative molecular evidence ever recovered from this species. The fossils, dating to around 400,000 years ago, come from the Zhoukoudian, Hexian, and Sunjiadong sites in northern and southern China.
The study, published in Nature, focused on proteins preserved within tooth enamel, which can survive far longer than ancient DNA in warm environments. Using advanced palaeoproteomic techniques, researchers identified two notable genetic variants in the enamel protein ameloblastin (AMBN) shared by all six individuals. One of these variants had never previously been identified in any known human lineage, including Neanderthals, Denisovans, or modern humans.
The findings also suggest a possible genetic connection between East Asian Homo erectus populations and Denisovans, an archaic human group known from parts of Asia. One of the identified protein variants was previously detected in Denisovan remains and may reflect ancient interactions between the two populations during the Middle Pleistocene.
Researchers noted that some DNA regions previously interpreted as “super-archaic” introgression in Denisovans may have originated from populations related to these Chinese Homo erectus groups. The study therefore provides new evidence for complex interactions among ancient human populations in East Asia hundreds of thousands of years ago.
The six analysed individuals included five males and one female. Scientists determined biological sex through the detection of sex-specific enamel proteins preserved within the teeth.
The study also helps clarify debates surrounding the classification of some Chinese Middle Pleistocene fossils. In particular, the protein evidence indicates that the Hexian fossils belong to Homo erectus rather than Denisovans, despite previous suggestions based on skeletal morphology.
Researchers say the results demonstrate the growing importance of ancient protein analysis in the study of early human evolution, especially for fossils too old or poorly preserved for DNA recovery.
Published on: 13-05-2026
Edited by: Abdulmnam Samakie
Source: Nature
