Two traces of unknown ancestors were discovered in human DNA

As it turns out, Homo sapiens actively crossbreed not only with Neanderthal and Denisova hominins but also with other unknown to science proto-men. Their genes predominantly discovered among populations of South-East Asia.

Our species emerged in Africa and later spread around the globe from there. During the period of settlement, our ancestors encountered other Hominidaes – Neanderthal and Denisovans. As a result of their confrontation, species mentioned above vanished, but their genes were successfully inherited through generations by modern men.

Around 2% of European genes are coming from Neanderthal. Asian people, on the contrary, acquired more biological material from Denisovans. Our ancestors have met other proto-people, who could be conventionally defined as “extinct Hominidae 1” and “extinct Hominidae 2”.

These species inhabited the territory of South-East Asia, and as a result, the local population carries their genes. Such a remarkable discovery was made by scientists of The University of Adelaide. Extinct Hominidaes existed for thousands of years in isolation before the confrontation with Homo sapiens. But with the arrival of more developed primates, they were partially wiped out and assimilated.