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Researchers from the University of Hawaiʻi have identified a new species of ancient humans, which they have named Homo juluensis, meaning "big head," based partly on a very large skull found in China.
The fossils lived approximately 300,000 years ago in eastern Asia. This species hunted wild horses in small groups, and made stone tools and possibly processed animal hides for survival before disappearing around 50,000 years ago.
Known as “big-head people”.
Includes mysterious groups like the Denisovans (Denisova hominins are an extinct species or subspecies of archaic humans that ranged across Asia during the Lower and Middle Paleolithic. Their histories are still being uncovered).
The fossils show facial and jaw features similar to Neanderthals and braincases 30% larger than modern humans.
Four human species coexisted: Homo floresiensis, Homo luzonensis, Homo longi, and Homo juluensis.
The fossils forming the basis of this new classification were recovered from sites in Xujiayao and Xuchang in northern and central China.
Excavations at Xujiayao in the 1970s yielded over 10,000 stone tools and 21 fossil fragments, representing at least 10 individuals.
Four additional ancient skulls discovered at Xuchang exhibit similar features.
The findings indicate a likely continuity of hybridization among Middle Pleistocene hominins, which shaped human evolution in eastern Asia.
The discovery underscores the intricate relationships within ancient hominin groups and their evolutionary significance.
Neanderthals were primitive people who went extinct around 40,000 years ago.
They appear to have originated in Europe and then spread to Southwest, Central, and Northern Asia.
For a long time, Neanderthals were supposed to be the typical caveman, rude and mentally unevolved.
Scientific research in the early 1900s depicted Neanderthals as gorilla-like creatures, an extinct offshoot of humanity that couldn't compete with thin, bright people.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Which of the following characteristics are associated with the species Homo sapiens?
Select the correct answer using the code below: (a) 1, 2, and 3 only (b) 1, 3, and 4 only (c) 2, 3, and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3, and 4 Answer: a Explanation: Homo sapiens, the modern human species, is characterized by several key features: Larger brain size: Homo sapiens has a significantly larger brain compared to earlier hominins, which contributed to advanced cognitive abilities. Use of complex tools and symbolic art: Homo sapiens is known for creating complex tools and symbolic art, indicating sophisticated cognitive and cultural development. Bipedal locomotion with an upright posture: Like earlier hominins, Homo sapiens walks on two legs with an upright posture, a key feature of human evolution. Exclusive use of speech: While Homo sapiens has a unique ability to use speech for communication, it is not exclusively limited to this. Non-verbal communication and other forms of expression are also significant in human interaction. |
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