[ad_1]
One study showed that prehistoric humans were forced to compete with old vicious carnivores to shelter in caves.
The rock shelters were considered first-rate real estate and groups of nomads were refugees there, but were often hunted by bears, hyenas and wolves.
Studies on the famous Denisova Cave in Siberia revealed that Homo sapiens, Neanderthal and Denisovans all inhabited the cave at one time.
Researchers say it's only short-lived, however, because the dominant predators that ruled the world 300,000 years ago would claim the cave, forcing people to hit the road again.
Scroll for the video
Microscopic 13-foot (image) studies of sediments in the cave system revealed fossil feces left by predatory animals. Feces of fossil animals, charcoal from old fires and bone fragments litter the ground at the site
Fossil animal excrement, charcoal from old fires and bone fragments strewn on the site provided the first physical evidence of Denisovans' presence.
The latest evidence from southern Siberia in Russia shows that large rock beasts have competed with the ancient tribes to provide a space of choice in anti-cave shelters.
Professor Roberts, of Wollongong University, said, "Using microscopic analyzes, our latest study shows sporadic hominin visits, illustrated by traces of the use of fires such as fragments. tiny, but continued use of the site by carnivores such as hyenas and wolves.
Sediment profiles showing a gallery of Denisova fossils containing hyenas, wolves and others. the researchers say this proves that humans wanted to use the cave regularly uprooted
Studies on the famous Denisova Cave (pictured) in Siberia revealed that Homo sapiens, Neanderthals and Denisovans all inhabited the cave at one time.
"Fossil feces indicate the persistent presence of non-human cave dwellers, who are very unlikely to live with humans who use the cave to shelter."
He added that this implied that ancient groups were probably coming and going for ephemeral episodes and that the cave was occupied by these great predators.
A team of Russian and Australian scientists used state-of-the-art geo-archaeological techniques to uncover new details of daily life in the Denisova cave complex, hidden in its dust.
Large carnivores and early humans have used the site for thousands of years.
The lead author of the study, Dr. Mike Morley, of Flinders University in Australia, said: "These groups of hominins and large carnivores such as hyenas and the wolves have left a mine of microscopic traces that illuminate the use of the cave during the last three glacial-interglacial cycles.
Microscopic studies of sediments left in the cave include fossil droppings left by predatory animals such as hyenas and wolves (photo).
The Siberian site appeared for the first time more than ten years ago with the discovery of the fossil remains of a human group until then unknown, nicknamed the Denisovans (photo, artist impression), according to the local name of the cave.
"Our results complement the earlier work of some of our site colleagues who had identified ancient DNA in the same filth, belonging to Neanderthals and a previously unknown human group, the Denisovans, as well as to a wide range of species." Other animals. "
But it seems now that it was the animals that dominated the cave at the time.
Microscopic studies of 13 feet of sediment in the cave system revealed fossil feces left by predatory animals.
This corroborates rock paintings around ancient Eurasia showing what are thought to be prehistoric animals that have probably been preyed upon by humans.
By examining the micromorphology of dirt found in Denisova's cave, the team uncovered clues about its use, including the use of fire by ancient humans and the presence of other animals.
The Siberian site first appeared more than ten years ago with the discovery of fossil remains of a human group until then unknown, nicknamed the Denisovans after the local name of the cave .
Surprisingly, the recent discovery of a bone fragment in cave sediments has shown that a teenager was born to a Neanderthal mother and father Denisovan there. is more than 90,000 years old.
The Denisovans and Neanderthals inhabited parts of Eurasia until 40,000 or 50,000 years ago, when they were replaced by modern humans.
The results were published in the journal Scientific Reports.
Lead author of the study, Dr. Mike Morley (pictured) of Flinders University in Australia, said that large humans and prehistoric carnivores were fighting in the cave for thousands of years. 39; years.
Who were the denisovans?
The Denisovans are an extinct human species that seems to have lived in Siberia and even in the south of Asia.
Although remnants of these mysterious primitive humans have only been discovered on one site – the Denisova Cave in the Altai Mountains of Siberia, DNA analyzes have shown that they were widespread.
The DNA of these early humans has been found in the genomes of modern humans in a vast region of Asia, suggesting that they once covered a vast expanse.
The DNA analysis of a pink finger bone fragment in 2010 (photo) that belonged to a girl revealed that Denisovans were a Neanderthal-like species, but different from this one.
They are thought to be a sister species of Neanderthals, who lived in Western Asia and Europe around the same time.
The two species appear to be separated from a common ancestor about 200,000 years ago, while they separated from the modern human Homo sapien line about 600,000 years ago.
Bone and ivory beads found in Denisova's cave were discovered in the same layers of sediment as Denisovan's fossils, suggesting that they possessed tools and jewels sophisticated.
The DNA analysis of a fifth-digit finger bone fragment in 2010, which belonged to a girl, revealed that it was d & # 39; A species related to Neanderthals but different from this one.
Subsequent genetic studies suggest that the ancient human species separated Neanderthals between 470,000 and 190,000 years ago.
Anthropologists have since wondered whether the cave served as a temporary refuge for a group of these Denisovans or if it had formed a more permanent establishment.
The molar DNA belonging to two other individuals, an adult man and a young woman, showed that they had died in the cave at least 65,000 years earlier.
Other tests have suggested that the young woman's tooth could be 170,000 years old.
A third molar would have belonged to an adult man who died about 7,500 years before the discovery of the girl.
[ad_2]
Source link