Ancient tooth proteins reveal Homo erectus left a genetic fingerprint in today’s humans
Proteomic analysis of 400,000-year-old Homo erectus teeth uncovers a unique amino‑acid variant shared with Denisovans and present in modern SE Asian and Oceanian populations (about 21% in the Philippines, ~1% in India), suggesting interbreeding and a mosaic ancestry rather than a single lineage. The study highlights how paleoproteomics can reveal genetic connections from old hominin lineages and points to a broader pattern of admixture among ancient humans.