Jakarta – A group of scientists has identified a new human species that went extinct around 200,000 years ago in China. Named Homo juluensis, this species reveals the complexity of human evolution.
The discovery made at the Xujiayao site includes the fossils of 16 individuals. This species stands out due to its large and wide skull, as well as its very large teeth, characteristics that distinguish it from Neanderthals and modern humans. Their skull sizes range from 103 to 109 cubic inches, much larger than the 88 cubic inches of Neanderthals and the 82 cubic inches of modern humans.
Adapting to Harsh Environments
Stone tools, artifacts, and animal bones were found alongside the remains, indicating a highly adaptive lifestyle. Researchers believe that Homo juluensis were skilled hunters who relied on wild horses for sustenance. They consumed every part of the animal, including the meat, bone marrow, and cartilage, and made clothing from the hides to survive the harsh winter.
Christopher Bae, one of the study’s authors, emphasized the significance of this finding. “Recent research initiatives in China, and the wider East Asia, clearly show that several hominin lineages were present during the Quaternary,” he said in the study, quoted from Greek Reporter on Monday (2/12/2024).
This period, which began 300,000 years ago, was marked by dramatic climate changes, including glacial periods (Ice Ages) that drove many ancient species to extinction.
Small and Vulnerable Groups
Researchers believe Homo juluensis lived in small and isolated groups, a factor that may have contributed to their vulnerability.
When modern humans began migrating out of Africa around 120,000 years ago, they likely interbred with and outcompeted native populations such as Neanderthals and Homo juluensis.
The comparison between Homo juluensis and other hominin species further illustrates their unique characteristics. Although not related to Neanderthals, they share dental similarities with Denisova, an ancient human population identified from remains in Siberia.
The molars of Homo juluensis and Denisova are extraordinarily large, with nearly identical biting surfaces. This has led researchers to estimate that Denisova might not be a separate species, but rather a population within the lineage of Homo juluensis.
The Emergence of a New Species
A study published in Nature suggests that Homo juluensis likely emerged through genetic mixing with ancient humans and adapted to environmental changes during the Quaternary period. The extinction of this species was caused by a combination of environmental challenges and competition with modern humans.
This finding challenges the long-standing human evolution model, which shows greater diversity among ancient populations in East Asia than previously understood.
The authors of the study stated that the fossil diversity from this region exceeded expectations and deepened their understanding of the complexity of human evolution.
New Human Species Discovered in China
