The bone is tiny. What it contained was not.
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*Excerpt:* In 2018, scientists sequenced the genome of a bone fragment found in a Siberian cave and discovered something unprecedented: a teenage girl whose mother was Neanderthal and whose father was Denisovan—a first-generation child of two ancient human groups, alive 90,000 years ago.
*SEO title:* Denny: The Ancient Girl With a Neanderthal Mom and Denisovan Dad
*Meta description:* A 2-cm bone found in Siberia’s Denisova Cave contained the genome of a girl whose mother was Neanderthal and father was Denisovan—the first known first-generation hybrid of two ancient human groups.
*Suggested slug:* denisova-11-denny-neanderthal-denisovan-hybrid-ancient-dna
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## Source Ledger and Material Uncertainties
**Slon et al., *Nature*, 2018 (vol. 561, pp. 113–116)** — Primary study reporting the Denisova 11 genome. Lead author Viviane Slon, senior author Svante Pääbo, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. Key findings: nuclear genome approximately 50% Neanderthal and 50% Denisovan; mtDNA Neanderthal; first-generation hybrid confirmed; father’s genome contained earlier Neanderthal admixture 300–600 generations prior; mother’s genome more closely related to Vindija Cave (Croatia) Neanderthals than Denisova Cave Neanderthals. Full text: doi:10.1038/s41586-018-0455-x; institutional PDF cited in prompt; PMC open access record (access verified as limited per prompt instructions).
**Brown et al., *Scientific Reports*, 2016** — Earlier study by Samantha Brown and colleagues reporting ZooMS identification of DC1227 as archaic hominin and mtDNA sequencing showing Neanderthal-consistent sequence. Pre-published before genome study.
**Wikipedia: Denny (hybrid hominin)** — Used for specific measurements (weight 1.68g; dimensions 24.7 × 8.39 mm; bone from layer 12 East Gallery; GenBank accession KU131206); micro-CT scanning details (Fiona Brock, Cranfield University; acid etching and pitting suggesting digestive passage); age at death “at least 13” based on cortical thickness; ZooMS identification by Samantha Brown, Tom Higham, Katerina Douka, Michael Buckley’s lab; radiocarbon dating >50,000 years old; dating analyses placing death at approximately 90,000 years ago.