DENIsovan anCESTORs in Sahul: deciphering human evolution through molecular techniques

Field and science-based discoveries over the last decade have revolutionised our understanding of human evolution outside of Africa. We now know that at least 6 or 7 hominin groups lived in Eurasia in the past 200,000-years. Some of these, i.e.

Denisovans, Neanderthals and early modern humans, met and interbred with genes from extinct archaic hominins passing down to modern humans living today.

Recent DNA studies have shown that selected populations in Southeast Asia, and Oceania in particular, have inherited genetic material from Denisovans, with the highest percentage found in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Aboriginal Australians.

Multiple divergent ancestries are seen in PNG with two unique Denisovan lineages; the latest (D1) occurring as late as ~ 30-15 k years ago.

While hugely relevant for understanding hominin dispersals, admixture and adaptation, the Pleistocene and early Holocene archaeological and palaeoanthropological records of PNG are poorly understood.

The rarity of hominin fossils from this region is a significant limitation in testing current hypotheses on Denisovan presence in Sahul during the Late Pleistocene.

The aim of this project is to analyse two previously excavated archaeological assemblages from highland PNG (Yuku and Kiowa, with the oldest dates ~10-15 ka BP) to expand the record of hominin fossils and provide detailed information on the taxonomy and chronology of these unique assemblages.

Through extensive application of Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS) analyses of unidentified bone fragments, radiocarbon dating, stable isotope analysis, and ancient DNA analyses I will analyse new hominin fossils as well as understand early subsistence strategies and adaptation to new environments.

This will be focused on the Papuan Highlands which is a hugely under-researched but increasingly significant part of the world for deciphering recent human evolution.