A groundbreaking discovery in studying ancient human relatives sheds new light on the complex story of human evolution in Asia. Professor Christopher J. Bae from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and his team have proposed the existence of a new species called Homo juluensis. This species lived approximately 300,000 years ago in eastern Asia, hunting wild horses and making tools for survival before disappearing around 50,000 years ago. The research, published in Nature Communications, also links Homo juluensis to mysterious groups like the Denisovans, a population known primarily through DNA evidence.

The discovery was made possible by a new way of organizing ancient hominin fossils, which has helped clarify the fossil record in Asia. In the past, fossils that didn’t belong to known species like Homo erectus or Homo sapiens were difficult to classify. Bae and his team have created a more precise system for sorting these fossils across China, Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia. This new approach has allowed the team to separate fossils into distinct groups, improving our understanding of the region’s different types of human ancestors.

The Homo juluensis species is thought to be connected to the Denisovans, whose history is still being uncovered. Denisovans are known mainly from DNA found in remains discovered in Siberia, Tibet, and Laos. Fossils found in these regions share similarities with Homo juluensis, particularly in their jaw and teeth structures. However, more research is needed to confirm this relationship. The study also provides insight into how early human species interacted, including evidence of stone tool use and possibly processing animal hides for survival.

This research is vital because it helps fill in gaps in our understanding of human evolution. Bae’s study challenges traditional views of human ancestry and demonstrates how our ancient relatives in Asia were more diverse and complex than previously thought. By refining the fossil record and identifying new species, scientists can better understand the different branches of human evolution and how they fit into the broader story of human development.

References

• University of Hawaii at Manoa. (2024, November 29). Homo juluensis: Possible new ancient human species uncovered by researchers. Phys.Org; University of Hawaii at Manoa. https://phys.org/news/2024-11-homo-juluensis-ancient-human-species.html
• Bae, C. J., & Wu, X. (2024). Making sense of eastern Asian Late Quaternary hominin variability. Nature Communications, 15(1), 9479. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-53918-7