Scientists have digitally reconstructed a 1 million-year-old skull found in China, which suggests that the human family tree is more complex than previously thought. The skull’s features indicate that it belonged to an early ancestor of “Dragon Man” and the Denisovans, two groups of prehistoric humans whose origins are still shrouded in mystery.
The analysis of the skull, known as Yunxian 2, along with over 100 other fossil specimens, reveals a radically different picture of human evolution. The findings would push back the emergence of our own species, Homo sapiens, by 400,000 years and dramatically reshape what’s known about human origins.
The study’s lead author, Xiaobo Feng, said that fossils like Yunxian 2 are critical for rebuilding the family tree of humans. The team used cutting-edge CT scanning, light imaging, and virtual techniques to separate the bones from the rock matrix that encased them, correcting distortions inherent in the fossil.
The skull’s age led some experts to believe it belonged to Homo erectus, a more primitive human species known to have lived around the world at that point. However, other features of the skull suggest it belongs to an early ancestor of “Dragon Man,” formally called Homo longi.
The analysis suggests that the Denisovans are more closely related to us than previously thought, and that their origins date back over 1 million years. The study also challenges traditional views on human evolution, suggesting that our species diverged from other groups much earlier than expected.
While some experts have expressed skepticism about the findings, others agree that they mark a significant step forward in understanding human origins. As one researcher noted, “The discovery of fossils like Yunxian 2 is crucial for refining our understanding of human evolution and resolving the ‘muddle in the middle’ – the confusing array of human specimens between 1 million and 300,000 years ago.”
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/09/25/science/skull-denisovans-dragon-man-human-evolution