'Dragon Man': Scientists in China say new human species is our closest ancestor

[Judi Lynn]

1. Massive human head in Chinese well forces scientists to rethink evolution

‘Dragon man’ skull reveals new branch of family tree more closely related to modern humans than Neanderthals

Ian Sample Science editor
@iansample
Fri 25 Jun 2021 11.00 EDT

The discovery of a huge fossilised skull that was wrapped up and hidden in a Chinese well nearly 90 years ago has forced scientists to rewrite the story of human evolution.

Analysis of the remains has revealed a new branch of the human family tree that points to a previously unknown sister group more closely related to modern humans than the Neanderthals.

The extraordinary fossil has been named a new human species, Homo longi or “Dragon man”, by Chinese researchers, although other experts are more cautious about the designation.

“I think this is one of the most important finds of the past 50 years,” said Prof Chris Stringer, research leader at the Natural History Museum in London, who worked on the project. “It’s a wonderfully preserved fossil.”

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jun/25/massive-human-head-in-chinese-well-forces-scientists-to-rethink-evolution