A human skull discovered in China, believed to be about a million years old, suggests that Homo sapiens may have emerged at least 500,000 years earlier than previously thought. Researchers also indicate that early humans may have lived alongside other species, such as Neanderthals, for far longer than scientists had assumed.
Experts describe the find as one that could “totally change” our understanding of human evolution, potentially rewriting an important chapter in our history. Still, some specialists advise caution, noting that additional evidence is needed to confirm these conclusions.
Discovery of Yunxian 2
The skull, named Yunxian 2, was excavated in Hubei Province in 1990. At first, it was thought to belong to Homo erectus, the first large-brained ancestor of humans, since its age of roughly a million years seemed too early to be closely related to modern humans.
“It’s very much like a digital surgery,” said Prof Xijun Ni of Fudan University, co-lead of the study. “From the very beginning, when we got the result, we thought it was unbelievable. How could that be so deep into the past? But we tested it again and again… and we are now confident about the result, and we’re actually very excited.”
Yunxian 2: Homo Longi
Researchers now identify Yunxian 2 as belonging to Homo longi, a species closely related to both Neanderthals and modern humans. The skull’s features, such as a wide roof of the mouth, flat cheekbones, an expanded rear of the head, and distinctive ear structures, point to a more intricate picture of human evolution in Asia.
Genetic studies suggest that Yunxian 2 lived alongside early Neanderthals and Homo sapiens, indicating that these human species may have coexisted for nearly 800,000 years.
Implications for human evolution
The discovery pushes back the timeline of large-brained human evolution by at least 500,000 years. Prof Chris Stringer of London’s Natural History Museum said, “There are likely to be million-year-old fossils of Homo sapiens somewhere on our planet—we just haven’t found them yet.”
It also helps clarify previously confusing fossils from 800,000 to 100,000 years ago, often called the “muddle in the middle,” by grouping them into subgroups of Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, and Homo longi.
“Human evolution is like a tree,” Ni explained. “This tree included several branches… they may have interbred with each other, and they coexisted for almost 1 million years. So this is an unbelievable result.”
Advanced techniques and expert caution
Yunxian 2 was badly deformed over time, but researchers used CT scans, computer modeling, and 3D printing to digitally restore the skull and fill missing pieces. This allowed accurate classification as a distinct human lineage.
Experts remain cautious. Dr Aylwyn Scally of Cambridge University said, “Even with the largest amount of genetic data, it is very difficult to place a time when these populations may have co-existed to within 100,000 years… more evidence is needed before we can be certain.”
New perspective on humanity
Some scientists believe the Yunxian 2 skull could push back the origin of Homo sapiens to nearly a million years ago, much earlier than the 300,000-year-old remains found in Africa. The fossil also points to a longer period of overlap, and possibly interbreeding, with other branches of early humans. This raises fresh questions about migration routes, survival strategies, and how our species first spread into Asia.
Unearthed in China’s Hubei Province between 1989 and 1990, Yunxian 2 is one of two partly mineralized skulls discovered at the site in Shiyan. The find is now being seen as crucial evidence that could alter long-held ideas about human evolution.
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