Nature, Published online: 09 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10976-9Identification and proteomic analysis of bone fragments and teeth from an excavation in Southwest China provide insight into the evolution and phenotype of Denisovans and fill a geographical gap in their documented distribution.

Ancient DNA from 149 individuals at 11 sites in Gansu, China, dated to around 4,700–3,000 years ago, reveals human population history during early transcontinental exchanges of agriculture and technology, as well as contemporary social practices, at the large Mogou cemetery.