Nature, Published online: 21 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11132-z

Denisovans from the Xujiayao and other East Asian sites are morphologically distinctive, with a low cranial profile with near-parallel lateral walls, a massive supraorbital torus, a flat zygomaxillary region and weak prognathism.

Nature, Published online: 09 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10997-4

Evidence from Bianfu Cave shows specialized hunting, expedient stone-tool production and extensive bone use of Denisovans, providing new insights into their ecology, behaviour and cultural legacy in eastern Asia.

Nature, Published online: 09 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10976-9

Identification 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.