Denisovans Lived High on the Tibetan Plateau

The species, named Denisova, is described as a close relative of modern humans, Homo Sapiens. These species, which generally lived in Siberia thousands of years ago, shed light on history by providing scientists with important data on the evolution of human beings. A new study published also reveals new information about what these types of people are doing on our planet and how it is affecting our species.

The study, published in Trends in Ecology & Evolution, reveals that Denisova people may have hosted the world’s highest and widest plateau, the ‘Tibet Plateau’, long before modern humans.

Denisovans may have settled on the Tibetan Plateau before Homo Sapiens

The Tibetan Plateau, also called the Himalayan Plateau, is located at an average of 4,000 meters above sea level and is therefore also called the “roof of the world”. Located in Mongolia, China, and Russia, this region was considered one of the last places where Homo Sapiens settled permanently. Although previous research has shown that this plateau was used as a settlement by other people, it was not known when and by which species this was done.

The new research published has also come up with new ideas on this subject. Combining both archaeological and genetic evidence, the researchers tried to find out when humans settled on the world’s highest and widest plateau. As a result of examining the models created, it was revealed that human ancestors may have lived in the region longer than expected.

Modern humans may have adapted to the lack of oxygen, thanks to the Denisova people

In addition, it should be noted that the available evidence indicates that Homo Sapiens may have been used as a permanent settlement on the plateau between 30,000 and 40,000 years ago. According to experts, a ‘crossbreeding’ event that took place between Denisovans in East Asia and modern humans may have caused humans to settle in this low-oxygen environment.

Nicolas Zwyns, one of the researchers, said: “We don’t know exactly whether the Denisovans were adapted to high altitude; However, transferring some genes to us may have caused our species to adapt to hypoxia (lack of oxygen) thousands of years later.

According to scientists, archaeological evidence has revealed that Denisovans lived on the Tibetan Plateau approximately 160,000 years ago. However, it is unknown whether these human species used the plateau as a ‘settlement’ for many years. So there is a possibility that the area is occasionally visited by Denisova people.

In short, the research shows that the possibility of ‘crossbreeding’ between Denisovans and Homo Sapien on the Tibetan Plateau may have had a significant impact on enabling modern humans to endure the lack of oxygen and establishing life in this region. However, it is emphasized by experts that research on the subject is currently insufficient, definitive information cannot be reached and hypotheses cannot be verified.