A new study published in Nature has proposed a fascinating addition to the human family tree: a previously unknown group of ancient humans that lived in eastern Asia over 100,000 years ago, Science Alert reports.
Researchers have named this group the “Juluren,” or “large head people,” due to their unusually large brains, which surpassed those of other hominins, including Homo sapiens.
The Juluren were likely contemporaries of Denisovans, Neanderthals, and Homo sapiens, and they possibly lived in small groups that hunted large prey such as horses. According to Xiujie Wu, a paleoanthropologist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Christopher Bae, an anthropologist at the University of Hawai’i, the Juluren may have had a unique mix of traits from several hominin species, leading them to propose a new species: Homo juluensis.
In previous studies, some scientists had assumed that the fossils of the Juluren belonged to Denisovans, an ancient human group closely related to Neanderthals. However, Wu and Bae’s closer examination of certain fossils, primarily from China, suggests that these remains do not fit neatly into the categories of modern humans, Neanderthals, Denisovans, or even earlier hominins like Homo erectus. Instead, they present a blend of features, suggesting the Juluren were a distinct group.
The fossils in question, found in various locations across eastern Asia, display characteristics not fully seen in any other known hominin species. For example, some exhibit dental traits resembling Neanderthals, but with other unique features not seen in the Denisovans. This has led Wu and Bae to suggest that the human evolutionary history in eastern Asia is far more complex than previously assumed.
John Hawks, an anthropologist who was not involved in the research, called the study “provocative” and expressed agreement with the idea that the human fossil record in Asia is much more intricate than most specialists have considered. Until recently, many fossils found in China were grouped together, with few distinguishing them from Homo erectus or Homo sapiens. This new research, however, calls for a reevaluation of the human fossil record across space and time.
The discovery of the Juluren is just the latest in a series of revelations about humanity’s evolutionary past. Over the past two decades, scientists have unearthed a number of new hominin species, such as Homo floresiensis in Indonesia and Homo luzonensis in the Philippines. In 2018, the discovery of fossils in China led to the identification of a new species, Homo longi, which is possibly related to the Denisovans.
Wu and Bae’s research is an important step in unraveling the complexities of human evolution, particularly in eastern Asia. As they argue, the region’s fossil record offers critical insights into how early humans interacted with each other and adapted to their environments.
The Juluren, like many other newly identified human species, forces scientists to rethink their understanding of human evolution. As fossil discoveries continue, researchers are recognizing that human history is far more diverse than previously thought, with many hominin species coexisting and contributing to the genetic makeup of modern humans.
While the evidence for Homo juluensis is still limited, Wu and Bae’s study represents a bold and exciting step forward in understanding our ancient ancestors. It emphasizes the need to consider a broader range of possibilities when interpreting the complex human evolutionary story, particularly in regions like eastern Asia where the fossil record has been underappreciated.
