Periodic Reporting for period 5 - FINDER (Fossil Fingerprinting and Identification of New Denisovan remains from Pleistocene Asia)
Période du rapport: 2023-02-01 au 2024-05-31
The Eurasian supercontinent plays a crucial role in understanding human evolution. Fossil discoveries over the past decades have revealed a far more complex picture of hominin interactions than previously thought. Recent findings of modern human remains suggest that our species was present in regions much earlier than previously believed, ranging from southern France to the Siberian steppes and the South Asian rainforest. Additionally, archaic hominin groups like the Neanderthals—once thought to be confined to Europe—have been found as far as Central Asia and possibly even China.
Since 2010, ancient DNA analysis from a Siberian fossil has confirmed the existence of Denisovans, a sister group to Neanderthals. Research showed that Denisovans interbred with both Asian Neanderthals and early modern humans over the past 200,000 years. Notably, their genetic influence extends from North Asia to Papua New Guinea, where some of the highest levels of Denisovan ancestry in living populations have been identified. However, until the launch of the FINDER Project in 2017, only a handful of Denisovan fossils had been discovered, limiting our understanding of this mysterious group and the broader genetic contributions of extinct hominins to modern humans.
From June 2017 to May 2024, the FINDER Project (www.finderc.org) employed advanced analytical techniques to address the scarcity of human fossils in Eurasia’s prehistoric record. The project’s primary objective was to identify new Denisovan fossils from the eponymous site, while also investigating a select number of Neanderthal and early modern human sites. Using a palaeoproteomic technique of peptide mass fingerprinting, known as ZooMS (Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry), we analyzed large numbers of fragmented, morphologically unidentifiable bones, to detect human remains. Once identified, these fossils underwent ancient DNA and radiocarbon dating analyses to determine their genomic characteristics and age. Through the discovery of new human fossils from regions as distant as Siberia and Papua New Guinea—spanning nearly 200,000 years—the project has provided insights that would have been impossible to obtain through traditional archaeological and anthropological methods
Since 2010, ancient DNA analysis from a Siberian fossil has confirmed the existence of Denisovans, a sister group to Neanderthals. Research showed that Denisovans interbred with both Asian Neanderthals and early modern humans over the past 200,000 years. Notably, their genetic influence extends from North Asia to Papua New Guinea, where some of the highest levels of Denisovan ancestry in living populations have been identified. However, until the launch of the FINDER Project in 2017, only a handful of Denisovan fossils had been discovered, limiting our understanding of this mysterious group and the broader genetic contributions of extinct hominins to modern humans.
From June 2017 to May 2024, the FINDER Project (www.finderc.org) employed advanced analytical techniques to address the scarcity of human fossils in Eurasia’s prehistoric record. The project’s primary objective was to identify new Denisovan fossils from the eponymous site, while also investigating a select number of Neanderthal and early modern human sites. Using a palaeoproteomic technique of peptide mass fingerprinting, known as ZooMS (Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry), we analyzed large numbers of fragmented, morphologically unidentifiable bones, to detect human remains. Once identified, these fossils underwent ancient DNA and radiocarbon dating analyses to determine their genomic characteristics and age. Through the discovery of new human fossils from regions as distant as Siberia and Papua New Guinea—spanning nearly 200,000 years—the project has provided insights that would have been impossible to obtain through traditional archaeological and anthropological methods
Between 2017 to 2024, FINDER analysed over 12,000 bone fragments from 18 sites across several countries (Russia, China, Armenia, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Germany). From this material, we recovered 44 new human fossils from 7 sites (Denisova Cave, Ust Karakol, Russia; Vogelherd Cave; Germany; Nombe Cave, Kiowa Cave, Yuku Rockshelter and Tsak Pumakos Cave in Papua New Guinea). Genetic and dating analyses showed that at least 3 of the Denisova Cave fossils belong to the oldest Denisovan remains known so far. Equally, the modern human fossils we discovered in Papua New Guinea, are the oldest and most numerous human fossils that exist from New Guinea today. While their age determinations range from 14,000-1000 years ago, hence long after the disappearance of Denisovans in Asia, these modern humans represent the only genetically analysed humans from the supercontinent of Sahul.
In addition to our analytical work, our team has been instrumental in establishing four new laboratories, developing and streamlining new protocols, and facilitating data dissemination. Notably, we set up four new ZooMS labs in regions where such facilities previously did not exist. First, in Germany and Austria, where the project was based, establishing the first palaeoproteomic labs in each country, and later in China and Russia, covering most of the project’s focus. This not only ensured direct knowledge transfer and expanded research capabilities, but also trained a new generation of scientists to apply the method to their culture heritage materials.
Moreover, the FINDER Project has engaged over 30 volunteers, who have contributed to documenting and recording thousands of bone fragments, further supporting the project's mission and impact.
The project members have engaged with the academic community, through a series of publications and conference participations, and we have interacted with the public via open lectures, newspaper articles, museum events, and social media. Aspects of this work appeared in some of the largest public news outlets, from newspapers (The Guardian, the New York Times) to scientific journals (Nature, Science and more). This direct transfer of knowledge and engagement with academia and the public alike, showcase the great contribution of the ERC funding can have, not only to research questions tantalising scientists, but also to society more generally.
In addition to our analytical work, our team has been instrumental in establishing four new laboratories, developing and streamlining new protocols, and facilitating data dissemination. Notably, we set up four new ZooMS labs in regions where such facilities previously did not exist. First, in Germany and Austria, where the project was based, establishing the first palaeoproteomic labs in each country, and later in China and Russia, covering most of the project’s focus. This not only ensured direct knowledge transfer and expanded research capabilities, but also trained a new generation of scientists to apply the method to their culture heritage materials.
Moreover, the FINDER Project has engaged over 30 volunteers, who have contributed to documenting and recording thousands of bone fragments, further supporting the project's mission and impact.
The project members have engaged with the academic community, through a series of publications and conference participations, and we have interacted with the public via open lectures, newspaper articles, museum events, and social media. Aspects of this work appeared in some of the largest public news outlets, from newspapers (The Guardian, the New York Times) to scientific journals (Nature, Science and more). This direct transfer of knowledge and engagement with academia and the public alike, showcase the great contribution of the ERC funding can have, not only to research questions tantalising scientists, but also to society more generally.
FINDER’s original concept—the search for fossils among fragmented bones—was defined by a strong high-risk, high-reward element. While we knew the methodology worked on archaeological bones and had the potential to uncover significant new remains and data in human evolution, archaeology, zooarchaeology (the study of past human-animal interactions), and palaeontology, the likelihood of discovering human fossils among thousands of prehistoric animal bone fragments seemed extremely slim.
Yet, against the odds, the project identified dozens of previously undetectable human fossils using macroscopic methodologies. Not only did we uncover the oldest known Denisovans, dating back approximately 200,000 years, but we also filled critical gaps in our understanding of human migrations from Asia to Oceania.
The project’s legacy includes newly identified and genetically characterized human fossils, a new generation of young scientists—both doctoral students have since secured academic positions in Germany and Spain—and the establishment of four palaeoproteomics laboratories in Germany, Austria, China, and Russia. Additionally, several members of the public and young students, who had their first hands-on experience with archaeological fossils through the project, are now pursuing degrees and professional training in related fields.
Ultimately, FINDER has played a pivotal role in establishing palaeoproteomics as a leading methodology in the search for our human ancestors and the animals that coexisted with them.
Yet, against the odds, the project identified dozens of previously undetectable human fossils using macroscopic methodologies. Not only did we uncover the oldest known Denisovans, dating back approximately 200,000 years, but we also filled critical gaps in our understanding of human migrations from Asia to Oceania.
The project’s legacy includes newly identified and genetically characterized human fossils, a new generation of young scientists—both doctoral students have since secured academic positions in Germany and Spain—and the establishment of four palaeoproteomics laboratories in Germany, Austria, China, and Russia. Additionally, several members of the public and young students, who had their first hands-on experience with archaeological fossils through the project, are now pursuing degrees and professional training in related fields.
Ultimately, FINDER has played a pivotal role in establishing palaeoproteomics as a leading methodology in the search for our human ancestors and the animals that coexisted with them.