Latest news with #InstituteofVertebratePaleontologyandPaleoanthropology
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Newly discovered 'ghost' lineage linked to ancient mystery population in Tibet, DNA study finds
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A 7,100-year-old skeleton from China has revealed a "ghost" lineage that scientists had only theorized about until now, a new study finds. Researchers made the discovery while studying ancient skeletons that could help them map the diverse genetics of central China. The DNA of this ghost lineage individual, an Early Neolithic woman who was buried at the Xingyi archaeological site in southwestern China's Yunnan province, also holds clues to the origins of Tibetan people. "There likely were more of her kind, but they just haven't been sampled yet," study co-author Qiaomei Fu, a paleontologist at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing, told Live Science in an email. Fu and colleagues detailed their analysis of 127 human genomes from southwestern China in a study published May 29 in the journal Science. Most of the skeletons that they sampled were dated between 1,400 and 7,150 years ago and came from Yunnan province, which today has the highest ethnic and linguistic diversity in all of China. "Ancient humans that lived in this region may be key to addressing several remaining questions on the prehistoric populations of East and Southeast Asia," the researchers wrote in the study. Those unanswered questions include the origins of people who live on the Tibetan Plateau, as previous studies have shown that Tibetans have northern East Asian ancestry along with a unique ghost ancestry that has mystified researchers. The oldest person the researchers tested was found to be the missing link between Tibetans and the ghost' lineage. Related: 'Mystery population' of human ancestors gave us 20% of our genes and may have boosted our brain function At the Xingyi archaeological site in central Yunnan, dozens of burials were discovered that dated from the Neolithic period (7000 to 2000 B.C.) to the Bronze Age (2000 to 770 B.C.). Beneath all the other burials, archaeologists found a female skeleton with no grave goods. Carbon dating revealed she lived about 7,100 years ago, and isotope analysis of her diet showed she was probably a hunter-gatherer. But genomic analysis of the woman, who has been named Xingyi_EN, was a surprise: her ancestry was not very similar to East and South Asians but was closer to a "deeply diverged" Asian population whose genes contributed to the ghost population only seen in modern Tibetans. A "ghost population" refers to a group of people who were not previously known from skeletal remains but whose existence has been inferred through statistical analysis of ancient and modern DNA. The mystery ancestry seen in Xingyi_EN does not match Neanderthals or Denisovans, both well-known ancient populations that did contribute some "ghost" DNA to humans. Rather, Xingyi_EN is evidence of a previously unknown lineage that diverged from other humans at least 40,000 years ago, according to the researchers, and has been named the Basal Asian Xingyi lineage. RELATED STORIES —Ancient jawbone dredged off Taiwan seafloor belongs to mysterious Denisovan, study finds —DNA from mysterious 'Denisovans' helped modern humans survive —Now-extinct relative had sex with humans far and wide For thousands of years, the lineage was separated from other human groups, meaning there was no admixture — interbreeding that would mix their DNA. "The possible isolation allowed this ancestry to persist without apparent admixture with other populations," Fu said. But at some point, Xingyi_EN's relatives did interbreed with other groups of East Asian ancestry, mixing DNA. "The mixed population has lasted for quite a long time and contributed genes to some Tibetans today," Fu explained. However, these results should be taken with caution, the researchers noted in the study. Given the genetic evidence comes from just a single person, further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between Xingyi_EN and the Tibetan ghost lineage.
The Star
01-05-2025
- Science
- The Star
Park built on Yuanmou ape-man archaeological site opens to public
KUNMING, May 1 (Xinhua) -- A park built on the Yuanmou ape-man archaeological site in southwest China's Yunnan Province opened to the public on Thursday. Located in the Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, the park aims to become an integrated cultural space where visitors can experience millions of years of human history. The Yuanmou ape-man site, located on a hillside about 200 meters from Danawu Village in Yuanmou County, was where two fossils of ancient human teeth were discovered in 1965. These fossils date back some 1.7 million years. The park has a planned total area of over 370 hectares and is being developed in three phases. "We will strive to build the park into a comprehensive base that integrates paleogeological research and education, the scientific exploration of human origins, and the in-depth study of prehistoric cultural development," said Zhang Wenwang, head of the prefecture. Gao Xing, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, said that the Yuanmou ape-man and culture were significant discoveries of ancient human remains in China. They are the first chapters in China's elementary and middle school history textbooks, and an important testament to the survival and evolution of the early Homo erectus in East Asia. Also on Thursday, an event marking the 60th anniversary of the discovery of the Yuanmou ape-man site was held in the county. Scholars and researchers from diverse fields convened to discuss topics such as human migration tracing, Paleolithic archaeology, site value transformation and digital cultural innovation.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Shocking! A 240 million-year-old dragon's fossil discovered in China-- All about it
Image credit: Instagram/serpenillus In a stunning revelation, researchers have discovered a 240-million-year-old fossil of a Dinocephalosaurus orientalis . The ancient fossil was discovered in Guizhou province, Southern China. This astonishing discovery bridges the realm of science and mythology. This 16-foot-long creature's elongated, serpentine neck and limbs evoke the image of a legendary Chinese dragon, offering a rare glimpse into prehistoric marine life. Dinocephalosaurus orientalis (Terrible-headed reptile) has always intrigued scientists due to its differentiated anatomy. The latest specimen that was excavated revealed an extraordinarily long neck comprising 32 vertebrae, which is shocking because it is more than any known marine reptile. Researchers during their hypothesis concluded that its flexible neck allowed it to stealthily capture prey in crevices and narrow water spaces. With the collaborative efforts of scientists from China, Germany, Scotland, and the United States, this unique discovery has come to light, and it is the result of over a decade of international collaboration. Image credit: Instagram/planetdinosaurs by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The boy meets a dog on the street - no one expected what happened next. Women's Method Learn More Undo The fossil was being studied meticulously at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing, Part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Dr. Nick Fraser, of the National Museum of Scotland, described this rare find as 'one of the most remarkable' from the Triassic deposits of the Guizhou Province. This finding will enable scientists to learn about the evolution of the marine reptiles, which spans decades. This fossil find not only adds to the scientific world but also strikes a cultural chord with the Chinese people. Its dragon-like shape is consistent with Chinese mythology, where the dragon is highly significant as a symbol of power and wisdom. The intersection of Earth's early history and the cultures of storytelling humans is highlighted by the intersection of paleontology and culture. The Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Earth and Environmental Science has published the comprehensive findings of the research, which offer valuable new information about the diversity and adaptability of marine reptiles in the Triassic. As researchers continue to examine it, they expect this Triassic "dragon" to uncover even deeper secrets of life during the Triassic—a time of radical change and evolutionary experimentation following Earth's most severe mass extinction. The fossil is not just a likeness of an ancient animal but also a time capsule that might rewrite our understanding of early marine ecosystems. It is more than just a fossil; It tells a tale that spans over centuries and civilisations.
Shafaq News
26-03-2025
- Science
- Shafaq News
Shafaq News explores Asia's largest Dinosaur Museum in Beijing
Shafaq News/ Shafaq News visited the China Museum of Paleozoology in Beijing, the largest museum of its kind in Asia and an affiliate of the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The museum stands as a premier destination for researchers and visitors alike, offering a comprehensive exploration of prehistoric life through its vast collection of fossils. Inside, three main exhibition halls showcase a diverse range of specimens, from ancient fish and amphibians to reptiles, birds, and mammals, including rare fossils found only in China. An adjoining gallery delves into human evolution, featuring significant discoveries such as the renowned Peking Man fossils and early stone tools that shed light on the origins of humanity. Beyond its permanent displays, the museum regularly hosts special exhibitions and interactive educational programs, providing an engaging experience for visitors of all ages. During its tour, Shafaq News documented some of the museum's most striking exhibits, capturing the intricate details of fully reconstructed dinosaur skeletons and exceptionally preserved prehistoric fossils.
USA Today
04-03-2025
- Science
- USA Today
Scientists found a fossil of a Jurassic bird. Here's how it could rewrite history.
Scientists found a fossil of a Jurassic bird. Here's how it could rewrite history. Show Caption Hide Caption Massive stegosaurus fossil that sold for $44.6M goes on public display Apex, a stegosaurus fossil, was lent to the American Museum of Natural History for public display after selling for over $40 million. Scientists uncovered a 149-million-year-old bird fossil in southeastern China with unexpectedly modern traits they believe could rewrite the evolutionary history of birds. The recently discovered quail-sized creature, called Baminornis zhenghensis, flew through the skies when dinosaurs roamed the earth and is among the oldest birds ever discovered, along with the similarly aged Archaeopteryx that was found in Germany in the 1860s. The Archaeopteryx, a bird-like dinosaur that scientists describe as more reptilian-like than modern birds, were about the size of a crow. More: What lies at the center of the Earth? The answer keeps changing. Researchers from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) at the Chinese Academy of Sciences unearthed the fossil in 2023 while conducting field work in the coastal Fujian Province of China where more than 100 other fossils have been found. The study was published in the journal Nature last month. Steve Brusatte, a University of Edinburgh paleontologist, called Baminornis a 'landmark discovery' in a commentary published in Nature alongside the study. The finding, he wrote, is among the first proof that birds lived alongside dinosaurs during the Jurassic Period. The finding helps scientists answer longstanding questions about when birds began to diversify into the flying animals we think of today. More: A dinosaur museum in an unlikely place Edward Braun, a professor of biology at the University of Florida who has studied the evolution of birds, said the study's findings suggest that there was a 'much earlier diversification of birds with these modern features' than previously thought, pushing back the timeline of bird evolution. When the Archaeopteryx was discovered around 1861, it was heralded as evidence that birds were soaring in the skies by the end of the Jurassic Period. Charles Darwin said the discovery supported his theory of natural selection. But for more than a century, it remained the only bird fossil from that era. Unlike the Archaeopteryx, which featured more reptilian traits and a long tail similar to that of a velociraptor, researchers today believe the Baminornis' light-weight structure and shorter tail make it more similar to modern-day birds that easily fly by flapping their wings through the air. Until Baminornis, the only known birds with shorter tails were believed to have lived about 20 million years later. The fact that the Baminornis and Archaeopteryx lived during the same period more than 5,000 miles apart from one another and each with unique features suggests that some bird evolution had already occurred in the Jurassic Period, the study states. Discovery: Powerful 'ghost particle' with clues about the universe Braun, who was not part of the study and focuses his research on bird genome evolution, told USA TODAY discovering when species morphed helps scientists understand changes in DNA. While he said he doesn't necessarily think news of the Baminornis will change the understanding of the bird genome, he said it will contribute to our broader knowledge about the history of life. 'Understanding how the universe works, how life changed over time, gives us a lot of perspective,' Braun said. 'It gives us a framework to understand how life has changed.'
