The portrait of a Denisovan

A low, sloping forehead, a massive brow ridge, rectangle-like eye sockets, flat cheeks, and a moderately elevated bridge of the nose were probably the hallmark features of Denisovans — a mysterious ancient-human species. Using fossilised skull fragments, teeth and jaws, researchers identified some visual features that would have set Denisovans apart from other early-human species, such as the flattened, elongated skull shape. A knowledge of these unique features could help researchers classify other fossils that couldn’t previously be identified as Denisovan.