Paleontology is the scientific study of fossils. It can help us understand human evolution. A jawbone fossil from the mountains of Tibet helped scientists understand a mystery. Tibetans and Han Chinese living at high altitudes commonly have a gene called EPAS1. Researchers wondered where the gene originates from. Scientists believe this jawbone, which belonged to a Denisovan from at least 160,000 years ago, holds the key to understanding where the gene comes from.
Paleontology is the scientific study of fossils. It can help us understand human evolution. A jawbone fossil from the mountains of Tibet helped scientists understand a mystery. Tibetans and Han Chinese living at high altitudes commonly have a gene called EPAS1. Researchers wondered where the gene originates from. Scientists believe this jawbone, which belonged to a Denisovan from at least 160,000 years ago, holds the key to understanding where the gene comes from.
