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Timing of archaic hominin occupation of Denisova Cave in southern Siberia

Author

Listed:
  • Zenobia Jacobs

    (University of Wollongong, Wollongong
    University of Wollongong, Wollongong)

  • Bo Li

    (University of Wollongong, Wollongong
    University of Wollongong, Wollongong)

  • Michael V. Shunkov

    (Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch
    Novosibirsk State University)

  • Maxim B. Kozlikin

    (Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch
    Altai State University)

  • Nataliya S. Bolikhovskaya

    (Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch
    Lomonosov Moscow State University)

  • Alexander K. Agadjanian

    (Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch
    Borissiak Paleontological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences)

  • Vladimir A. Uliyanov

    (Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch
    Lomonosov Moscow State University)

  • Sergei K. Vasiliev

    (Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch
    Novosibirsk State University)

  • Kieran O’Gorman

    (University of Wollongong, Wollongong)

  • Anatoly P. Derevianko

    (Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch
    Altai State University)

  • Richard G. Roberts

    (University of Wollongong, Wollongong
    University of Wollongong, Wollongong)

Abstract

The Altai region of Siberia was inhabited for parts of the Pleistocene by at least two groups of archaic hominins—Denisovans and Neanderthals. Denisova Cave, uniquely, contains stratified deposits that preserve skeletal and genetic evidence of both hominins, artefacts made from stone and other materials, and a range of animal and plant remains. The previous site chronology is based largely on radiocarbon ages for fragments of bone and charcoal that are up to 50,000 years old; older ages of equivocal reliability have been estimated from thermoluminescence and palaeomagnetic analyses of sediments, and genetic analyses of hominin DNA. Here we describe the stratigraphic sequences in Denisova Cave, establish a chronology for the Pleistocene deposits and associated remains from optical dating of the cave sediments, and reconstruct the environmental context of hominin occupation of the site from around 300,000 to 20,000 years ago.

Suggested Citation

  • Zenobia Jacobs & Bo Li & Michael V. Shunkov & Maxim B. Kozlikin & Nataliya S. Bolikhovskaya & Alexander K. Agadjanian & Vladimir A. Uliyanov & Sergei K. Vasiliev & Kieran O’Gorman & Anatoly P. Derevia, 2019. "Timing of archaic hominin occupation of Denisova Cave in southern Siberia," Nature, Nature, vol. 565(7741), pages 594-599, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:565:y:2019:i:7741:d:10.1038_s41586-018-0843-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0843-2
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    Cited by:

    1. Alastair J. M. Key & Ivan Jarić & David L. Roberts, 2021. "Modelling the end of the Acheulean at global and continental levels suggests widespread persistence into the Middle Palaeolithic," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 8(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Fabrice Demeter & Clément Zanolli & Kira E. Westaway & Renaud Joannes-Boyau & Philippe Duringer & Mike W. Morley & Frido Welker & Patrick L. Rüther & Matthew M. Skinner & Hugh McColl & Charleen Gaunit, 2022. "A Middle Pleistocene Denisovan molar from the Annamite Chain of northern Laos," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-17, December.

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