Scientists Xiujie Wu and Christopher Bae have proposed a new form of ancient humans, named Homo juluensis, which they call the Juluren. This group lived in eastern Asia between 300,000 and 50,000 years ago and is characterized by remarkably large brains and unique physical traits.
The Juluren exhibit features unlike any other hominins previously identified, with fossils showing a mix of Neanderthal-like and Denisovan-like characteristics. What sets them apart is their brain size, which surpasses that of other known hominins of the era, including early Homo sapiens.
This new discovery adds to the complexity of human evolution in eastern Asia and challenges our current understanding. The research suggests that fossils from this region were previously grouped under a broad label called “Denisovans,” but now experts believe they represent a more diverse evolutionary history.
The Juluren’s unique traits underscore the diversity of ancient human forms, taking their place in an expanding narrative of human evolution. As one anthropologist noted, the discovery is “provocative” and offers new insights into the human story in Asia.
Source: https://bgr.com/science/an-entirely-new-form-of-ancient-human-may-have-been-discovered