Researchers say they've identified a new ancient human relative. The species, which researchers call "Homo juluensis," made stone tools and hunted animals in eastern Asia between 300,000 and 50,000 years ago, according to the study. The findings shed light on human evolution in the region, with researchers claiming a mysterious group known as the Denisovans may have been a subset.
Denisovans have long intrigued scientists. Despite some modern humans sharing as much as 6% of their DNA, limited remains have been found to date. The most complete specimen is a partial jawbone with a number of teeth found on China’s Tibetan Plateau, and the group does not have a formal species classification due to a lack of physical remains.
Researchers argue Homo juluensis’ large skull and broad teeth are different enough to justify a new species, while the teeth are similar enough to Denisovans that the group should be assigned to the new species.
Explore the human family tree here.
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