Where are all the Denisovans? Ancient DNA

Hey everyone, this is a new series I’m working on called “Ancient dna”. I’ve been hard at work interviewing geneticists from around the world. Next episode should be out in 2 weeks. All about the genetic connections between Polynesia and the Americas and the genetic perspective on whether those brave sailors reached the continent. Peace ✌️✌️

It's crazy how YouTube has replaced what should be on the Discovery or History. Keep it up, Stefan!

I’m Aboriginal Australian. I find Denisovans so fascinating and to hear my people are one groups that have most Denisovan DNA is just so cool. Makes me want to do the test to see se how much Denisovan DNA I have.

Hi indonesian archaeologist here, it's so insightful thanks to you! Have never heard nor discussed Ngandong hipotested as Denisovans at all, but prehistoric ain't my major. Btw the pleistoscene glaciation altered indonesian islands as to the lands currently above the sea level presumably isn't even the major area where "homo erectus" lived. So when Joao mentioned 'on the island full of fossil evidence' well, maybe let's reconsider since we know little to none on those below the sea levels.

I love how you personify “archaic humans” into being real people that really existed, had full lives, probably had a sense of self, and weren’t just ancient brutish animals that we just happen to share an ancient common ancestor with. You present things with care and love and it makes them feel more like family than archaic.

Native from Flores here, so glad to know more what happened in my homeland

“Shout out to my Neanderthal wife” 😂😂 made me laugh. Thank you for the video Stefan ! Great work as always ❤

omg, you are right. in sangiran museum (prehistoric human museum) in java indonesia, there are two type of skull bones that they name it homo soloensis and homo wajakensis (they name it after the city they found the skull) they still didn't identify what species it is and just name it with the city that they found the bones. in the museup they just describe it as the next evolution of homo erectus because the skull have some similarities to homo erectus in the eyebrow ridge bone area but have way more brain mass than homo erectus. but i think it actually belongs to denisovan

Here in indonesia, not only denisovans. also homo floresiensis. even to this day, Denisovan skull have been found not only in sumatra island. also in sulawesi island a thousand of km apart. im not a researcher, but i love all discovery related to early human life.

Long awaited Stefan video. One of my favorite creators. I'm a practicing geologist in real life but I minored in anthropology in undergraduate at UTEP. Followed the money but my heart is still in the skulls.

Stefan, You are one of the most enthusiastic, fun loving YouTubers on the platform. It’s a joy to watch you.

Stefan, hovering around the cutting edge, keeping it fascinating, infecting us with his enthusiasm and making the whole thing comprehensible. Still my favourite YouTube channel. ❤

I took an Anthropologie class in 1980, Jr high. Almost none of the stuff we were taught is still considered accurate. Pretty amazing. They were just starting to try and figure out homo habilis.

Very interesting! Personally, I think it is very probable that Denisovan bones have been collected but labeled as something else. If your categories and W, X, & Y, but you don't realize that category Z exists, you label it W, X, or Y.

In Indonesia (Sumatera and Borneo) there're forest people called Bunian that have different body than most of Indonesian. You guys please check it

Dear Stefan: Great video! I also want to commend you for your not about language, more specifically, terminology. I think that's a great project waiting to be undertaken! I'm a linguistic anthropologist myself, and think it is worth examining how archaeologists/geneticists are talking about these ancient populations that survive within our DNA today, and come up with possible solutions to avoid pejorative/offensive implications/connotations toward any contemporary populations.

Dear Stefan...you have no idea how thrilled I am to watch this. I am going to have so much fun perusing the researches you cited. I am a Javanese (both of my parents were born in Solo). I love archaeology, studying and wondering how we came to be who we are today as a species is a fascinating endeavor. Everytime I read or watch available materials about early human evolution (which is understandably centered in Africa, Europe, & Western Asia), I always wondered..what about human evolution here in my little corner of the world? Oh well, tropical climate doesn't yield in good fossil preservation and our government is not fond of spending money on research. There is not going be much interesting publications to find, I thought. Thank you for taking this topic for your video. I hope future research will provide more samples until we can find out if your hypothesis is correct. Even if it's not, or even if future research only brings more question than answer, well. The fun is in the journey. Cheers to you, your neanderthal wife, and your beautiful daughter.

OK hold the phone. Stefan has really stepped up the production game on this one. This man deserves way more than 300k subs. Bravo Mr. Milo! Great video!

I love your YouTube presentations. Your diverse subject matter ( Paleontology / Archaeology / Molecules Biology / etc) keeps me clued to your channel. THANK YOU!!!!

Your emotional connection to anthropology and archeology is so beautiful and inspiring. At the end of this video, you seemed almost moved to tears by the possibility that these skulls are Denisovans. It's very special that you have such love and passion for what you do. Thanks for sharing that with us!