An analysis of proteins in this jaw, found by fishermen off Taiwan’s coast, indicates that the fossil comes from a Stone Age population called Denisovans.

Recent findings regarding a jawbone discovered in the Penghu Channel, off the western coast of Taiwan, reveal that this fossil belonged to the Denisovans, a lesser-known yet significant branch of ancient humans related to Neanderthals and modern Homo sapiens. Although Denisovans were previously identified mainly from limited finds in Siberia and Tibet, the discovery of the Penghu 1 mandible greatly expands our understanding of their geographical range and adaptability. Researchers employed paleoproteomics—specifically analyzing ancient proteins—to confirm the fossil's Denisovan identity, noting distinct characteristics such as robust jawbones and large molars that set them apart from Neanderthals. The implications of this discovery are profound. The ability of the Denisovans to thrive in various environments—from the cold Siberian mountains to the tropical climates around Taiwan—suggests a high degree of adaptability, countering any narrower perceptions of their ecological needs. While genetic traces of Denisovans exist in some modern East Asian populations, this fossil provides critical physical evidence that may lead to a deeper understanding of interbreeding events between Denisovans and early humans. However, the study is not without caution. Experts, including Rick Potts of the Smithsonian, emphasize the need for further corroborative data to solidify claims regarding the fossil's species. This consideration highlights the ongoing debates and challenges inherent in paleoanthropology, where discoveries often reshape our understanding of human history. Overall, while the Penghu fossil adds a crucial piece to the puzzle of human evolution, like many scientific findings, it opens more questions than it answers about the Denisovans and their interactions with contemporaneous early humans.