Ancient DNA
Hippos lived in ice age Germany until 31,000 years ago
New research reveals that hippos survived in central Europe much longer than previously believed, persisting in Germany's Upper Rhine Graben until about 31,000 years ago. Ancient DNA and radiocarbon dating show these animals coexisted with mammoths during a milder phase of the last ice age. The findings challenge earlier timelines of hippo extinction in the region.
New Denisovan genome uncovers ancient interbreeding
Researchers have sequenced the second high-quality genome from a Denisovan, extracted from a 200,000-year-old tooth in Siberia's Denisova Cave. This discovery reveals at least three distinct Denisovan populations and evidence of interbreeding with unknown Neanderthals and another mysterious ancient human group. The findings expand our understanding of early human evolution in Asia.