Discovery of New Human Species

 China discovers New Human Species : Landmark Human evolution fossils

 

 

Scientists discover new species of human ancestors, Homo juluensis and find evidence of new human species dating back 300,000 years. Researchers may have discovered evidence of a new human species called Homo juluensis which existed millions of years ago at the same time as homo sapiens, in what is modern-day China. A team of researchers has identified a new human species which vanished approximately 200,000 years ago in China. Named Homo juluensis, the species is shedding new light on the complexity of human evolution. The discovery, made at the Xujiayao site, includes fossilized remains of 16 individuals. The species stood out due to its large skulls, wide craniums and oversized teeth, features which distinguish it from Neanderthals and modern humans.

Homo juluensis are thought to have lived in eastern Asia around 300,000 years ago where they would've hunted wild horses in small groups, made stone tools and possibly processed animal hides for survival, according to experts. Measurements of their skulls ranged between 103 and 109 cubic inches, significantly larger than Neanderthals’ 88 cubic inches and modern humans’ 82 cubic inches. Adapting to a harsh environment. Up to now, bone fragments found across the country have been attributed to Denisovans, a subspecies of archaic humans who lived across Asia approximately 285,000 to 25,000 years ago.

Stone tools, artefacts and animal bones were found alongside the remains, suggesting a highly adaptive lifestyle. Researchers believe Homo juluensis were skilled hunters who relied on wild horses for sustenance. They consumed every part of the animal, including meat, marrow and cartilage, and crafted clothing from hides to endure harsh winters. Christopher Bae, a study co-author, emphasized the importance of these findings. “Recent research initiatives in China, and broader eastern Asia, are showing clearly that multiple hominin lineages were present during the Late Quaternary,” he said in the study. During analysis, scientists noted there were similarities between the two species, particularly in the jaws and teeth. This period, beginning 300,000 years ago, was marked by dramatic climate changes, including glacial periods which drove the extinction of many ancient species.

The purpose of this research is to fill in the gaps in our current knowledge of our ancient relatives who roamed the Earth millions of years ago. Anthropologist, Christopher Bae from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and palaeontologist, Xiujie Wu from the Chinese Academy of Sciences believe that the Homo juluensis also includes the Denisovans but more research is needed to fully understand this relationship. Researchers believe Homo juluensis lived in small, isolated groups, a factor that may have contributed to their vulnerability. As modern humans began migrating out of Africa roughly 120,000 years ago, they likely interbred with and outcompeted native populations like Neanderthals and Homo juluensis.

"This study clarifies a hominin fossil record that has tended to include anything that cannot easily be assigned to Homo erectus, Homo neanderthalensis or Homo sapiens," Bae said. Comparisons between Homo juluensis and other hominin species further illustrate their unique traits. While unrelated to Neanderthals, they shared dental similarities with Denisovans, an ancient human population identified from remains in Siberia. The molars of Homo juluensis and Denisovans were unusually large, with nearly identical biting surfaces. This led researchers to suggest that Denisovans may not represent a separate species but rather a population within the Homo juluensis lineage. "Although we started this project several years ago, we did not expect being able to propose a new hominin (human ancestor) species and then to be able to organize the hominin fossils from Asia into different groups.

The study, published in Nature, proposes that Homo juluensis likely emerged through genetic mixing with early humans and adapted to environmental changes during the Late Quaternary. The species’ extinction is attributed to a combination of environmental challenges and competition with modern humans. The findings challenge long-standing models of human evolution, showing greater diversity among ancient populations in eastern Asia than previously understood. The study authors said that the variety of fossils from this region exceeds expectations and deepens their understanding of the complexities of human evolution. Beyond its significance for human evolution, scholars believe the site carries broader implications. We are united in seeking answers to the fundamental question: Who are we, and where did we come from?