DNA identifies 'new ancient human'

Scientists say that DNA taken from an ancient finger bone found in a Siberian cave may belong to a previously unknown type of pre-human.

The scientists, from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany, say the genetic material doesn't match that of modern humans or Neanderthals, who are known to have been living in the same area some 30-50,000 years ago.

Their analysis suggests the bone may have belonged to a species that split off from modern humans and Neanderthals about a million years ago.

Professor Colin Groves is a biological anthropologist from the Australian National University.

First broadcast 25 March 2010