Did <i>Homo erectus</i> and Denisovans mate? Tooth proteins hint at ancient trysts

Ancient proteins were extracted from the tooth enamel from several Homo erectus individuals, including 'Peking man', illustrated above. Credit: P.Plailly/E.Daynes/Science Photo Library It is well known that human relatives interbred: Homo sapiens with Neanderthals , Neanderthals with Denisovans , Denisovans with Homo sapiens . Now there is evidence for another ancient tryst, between Denisovans and Homo erectus . …