The Denisovans are a fascinating subject. It is known from ancient DNA studies that the Denisovans interbred with ‘modern’ humans, and so by the biological species concept that makes them the same species, i.e., Homo sapiens. Hence, by logic the specimens in Homo erectus must also have been fully human, and part of the human kind.

By Peter Line
Originally published June, 2019

Helpful resources

The Puzzle of Ancient Man

Evolution’s Achilles’ Heels

Mitochondrial Eve and the 3 "Daughters of Noah”

Links and show notes

The article: An Overview of the Denisovan Puzzle

Not the Flintstones—it’s the Denisovans

Denisovans menace evolution

Making sense of ‘apeman’ claims