JCPL Teens

A fossilized pinky bone found in the Denisovan cave in Siberia has provided a high quality DNA sequence for a girl who lived tens of thousands of years ago.  Why is this important?  Scientists are now able to track where the current 'relatives' of this girl are living.  The answer is surprising: South East Asia and Australia.  Another aspect scientists will study is how this girl's DNA is similar or different from modern humans. 

Want to know more?  Read the NPR article online or look for Denisovan in our online database Science in Context.