Finding The 164,000-Year-Old Tooth Of A Young Denisovan Girl

Scientists know little about this extinct subspecies that fall between modern humans and Neanderthals, named Denisovans, and this recent discovery could be proof they lived outside of Siberia.

By Sara Novak
Sep 30, 2022 3:00 PMSep 30, 2022 2:59 PM
Molars
(Credit: Fabrice Demeter)

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

This story was originally published on July 19, 2022.

When paleoanthropologist Laura Shackelford first explored a tiny remote cave in northern Laos, she didn't expect to find anything compelling. She was used to working in sediment at the bottom of caves and didn't see anything of interest. But then she shined her flashlight towards the cave's walls and immediately noticed a mosaic of prehistoric teeth that had formed on its surface.

0 free articles left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

0 free articlesSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

Stay Curious

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and unlock one more article for free.

 

View our Privacy Policy


Want more?
Keep reading for as low as $1.99!


Log In or Register

Already a subscriber?
Find my Subscription

More From Discover
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2025 LabX Media Group