Stratigraphic Cross-Section
Holocene (0 ka)
Layer 11 (~51.0 ka BP)
Bedrock (300 ka)
Layer Diagnostic & SedaDNA Analysis
Denisova 3 (Distal Phalanx)
Right 5th distal pinky phalanx of a young female. Yielded the landmark 30x high-coverage genome demonstrating Denisovans were a sister clade to Neanderthals.
Associated Artifacts: Polished chloritolite bracelet, mammoth ivory beads, bone needles with eyes.
Hominin Lineage Flow & Modern Introgressions:
Oceanian populations carry ~4-6% Denisovan nuclear DNA. Tibetan populations inherited the EPAS1 hypoxia pathway gene variant from Denisovans, aiding survival at extreme altitudes.
Marine Isotope Stage: MIS 3
Temp Anomaly: -3.5°C vs modern
Biome: Steppe-tundra and boreal coniferous taiga. Fauna identified via ZooMS & morphology includes woolly mammoth, woolly rhinoceros, cave hyena (Crocuta crocuta spelaea), Altai argali mountain sheep, and brown bear.
sedaDNA detection: High-density mitochondrial reads for Denisovan and Neanderthal in silt matrix.
Default Layer 11 Ready