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Oldest Known Human Interbreeding Found in 400k-Year-Old Teeth

5/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers led by Qiaomei Fu reported that ~400,000-year-old Homo erectus teeth contain enamel protein mutations showing interbreeding with Denisovans.
The study identifies the oldest known human interbreeding event and the first involving Homo erectus, and notes that Denisovan DNA entered modern humans leaving Homo erectus-derived variants in groups such as Filipinos.
The findings were published in Nature on May 13, 2026, and call for additional ancient DNA research.

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Story summary

Researchers led by Qiaomei Fu reported that ~400,000-year-old Homo erectus teeth contain enamel protein mutations showing interbreeding with Denisovans.
The study identifies the oldest known human interbreeding event and the first involving Homo erectus, and notes that Denisovan DNA entered modern humans leaving Homo erectus-derived variants in groups such as Filipinos.
The findings were published in Nature on May 13, 2026, and call for additional ancient DNA research.