The discovery of human fossils in the Denisova cave located in the Altai mountains of Siberia are believed to belong to “Denisova hominins or Denisovans” (Bradshaw Foundation 2016). They “are Palaeolithic members of the Homo genus that may belong to a previously unknown species of human” (Bradshaw Foundation 2016). In the magazine article titled “The Case of the Missing Ancestor” by Jamie Shreeve published by National Geographic, it discussed activities that occurred to determine the existence of Denisovans. The discovery of human fossils, DNA sequencing and comparison to previously established human species are justifications for Denisovans significance to the ancient human past.
The discovery of Denisovans and linkage to human past is a …show more content…
These steps include observation, question, experiment, hypothesis, and evaluation (McLelland 2006). In this case, the observation was the discovery of fossils in the Denisova cave and what it possibly possessed. The question, in this case, was the origin of the finger bone due to Derevianko’s curiosity. His curiosity then encouraged experimentation. The experiment was at the Max Planck Institute where Krause extracted mtDNA from the bone and its sequence was compared to that of the Neanderthals and living humans. The shocking results of the experiment urged a hypothesis which was the existence of a new human species. The testing of this hypothesis posed for further …show more content…
PNAS is a scientific journal established in 1914 and publishes only the highest quality of scientific research. The article consisted of Pääbo’s results from DNA tests from the three fossils (Sawyer et al. 2015). The article critically analyzed the data statistically to determine the divergence compared with other lineages (Sawyer et al. 2015). The journal article helps to back up the Denisovan case by showing statistical analysis, figures, methods and various discussions to arrive at a conclusion.
In conclusion, the discovery of fossils did not prove the existence of Denisovans but extensive research and further questioning proved the legitimacy of the case. Various articles provided different views of the case but the experts showcase a high level of understanding to determine the scientific aspects of the fossils discovered. The experts are still in search for more concrete evidence than what they currently have and would want to further convince individuals even
The discovery of Denisovans and linkage to human past is a …show more content…
These steps include observation, question, experiment, hypothesis, and evaluation (McLelland 2006). In this case, the observation was the discovery of fossils in the Denisova cave and what it possibly possessed. The question, in this case, was the origin of the finger bone due to Derevianko’s curiosity. His curiosity then encouraged experimentation. The experiment was at the Max Planck Institute where Krause extracted mtDNA from the bone and its sequence was compared to that of the Neanderthals and living humans. The shocking results of the experiment urged a hypothesis which was the existence of a new human species. The testing of this hypothesis posed for further …show more content…
PNAS is a scientific journal established in 1914 and publishes only the highest quality of scientific research. The article consisted of Pääbo’s results from DNA tests from the three fossils (Sawyer et al. 2015). The article critically analyzed the data statistically to determine the divergence compared with other lineages (Sawyer et al. 2015). The journal article helps to back up the Denisovan case by showing statistical analysis, figures, methods and various discussions to arrive at a conclusion.
In conclusion, the discovery of fossils did not prove the existence of Denisovans but extensive research and further questioning proved the legitimacy of the case. Various articles provided different views of the case but the experts showcase a high level of understanding to determine the scientific aspects of the fossils discovered. The experts are still in search for more concrete evidence than what they currently have and would want to further convince individuals even