Scientists reconstruct skeleton of elusive, pre-historic human

The artistic rendering of the head and face of a 13-year-old girl from the the prehistoric human species, Denisovan, based on technology developed by Hebrew University professor Liran Carmel and his team, is revealed at a news conference in Jerusalem September 19, 2019. REUTERS/Ammar Awad

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Researchers in Israel say they have reconstructed the skeleton of a pre-historic human from a long-extinct and elusive species using DNA found in the pinky bone of a 13-year-old girl who died 70,000 years ago.

Little is known about the Denisovans, who were ancient relatives of the more familiar Neanderthals and our own species. Their existence was only recently discovered and has fascinated scientists worldwide.