Why in news
Bone remains found in Baishiya Karst Cave, a Tibetan cave 3,280 meters above sea level.
The discovery suggests a group of Denisovans, an extinct human species, lived there for millennia.
Significance:
This is one of only two known locations where Denisovans lived (first discovered in 2008 by Russian scientists in Denisova Cave in Siberia)
It provides new information about their ability to survive in harsh conditions (high altitude, ice age).
A Denisovan rib bone was identified and dated to 48,000-32,000 years ago.
This suggests Denisovans lived on the Tibetan Plateau for at least 160,000 years (200,000 to 40,000 years ago).
They lived through cold periods and a warmer interglacial period.
Animal Remains:
Most bones belonged to blue sheep (bharal), wild yaks, equids (horses etc.), woolly rhinos, and spotted hyenas.
Small mammals and birds were also present.
Denisovan Activities:The analysis suggests Denisovans hunted and consumed a variety of animals.
They butchered and extracted meat and bone marrow from the bones.
Evidence indicates they even used bones as raw material for tools.
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