Latest news with #InstituteofVertebratePaleontologyandPaleoanthropology
National Geographic
18-06-2025
- Science
- National Geographic
Scientists discovered a new kind of human with its pinkie bone. Now we have a skull.
Finally, we can put a face on a Denisovan. The "Dragon Man" skull was discovered in Harbin, China in 1933 by a local laborer, but remained hidden away until 2018. A new analysis now finds its very likely to be a Denisovan. In the summer of 2021, a team of five Chinese researchers stirred up some controversy by suggesting that an unusual skull unearthed in northeastern China belonged to a previously unknown species they thereby officially described as Homo longi, nicknamed 'Dragon Man.' (Both names were inspired by the Long Jiang Dragon River region where it was found.) Soon afterwards, the team was contacted by paleogeneticist Qiaomei Fu of the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing, who asked if she could try and get DNA from the skull. Back in 2010, she'd been the first to investigate the DNA from a tiny finger bone found in a Siberian cave called Denisova that became world famous because it revealed the existence of a population of hominins not previously known to science, and for which no other fossils existed: the Denisovans. In two papers published in the journals Science and Cell this week—coauthored with Qiang Ji of Hebei GEO University, an author on the original Homo longi paper—Fu and her team conclude the 'Dragon Man' was likely a Denisovan too. Which is big news, as it makes the stunningly complete skull of 'Dragon Man', also known as the 'Harbin skull', the only Denisovan skull known to science. 'After 15 years, we give the Denisovan a face,' she says. 'It's really a special feeling, I feel really happy.' This illustration depicts how Homo longi may have appeared when they lived during the middle Pleistocene, over 146,000 years ago. Illustration by John Bavaro Fine Art, Science Photo Library We now know Denisovans had a wide and low face that combined more primitive features, like a prominent brow ridge, with more modern ones, like delicate cheekbones and a relatively flat lower face that does not jut out like it does in other primates and more ancient hominins. Its massive size also suggests a very large body that perhaps helped protect it from brutal winters in northeastern China. The findings open the door to a better understanding of these ancient hominins and the world they inhabited. 'Having a well-preserved skull like this one allows us to compare the Denisovans to many more different specimens found in very different places,' says paleoanthropologist Bence Viola of the University of Toronto, who was not involved in the new study. 'This means we might be able to compare their body proportions and start thinking about their adaptations to climate, for example.' How dental plaque helped confirm the findings Bulgaria's cultural capital After she was granted access to the skull, the first thing Fu did was look for DNA, specifically in the teeth and the petrous bone, a dense part of the skull near the inner ear that is known to be the last spot where DNA might survive in a skull that is estimated to be at least 146,000 years old. When that revealed no genetic material, she turned to a different method: extracting proteins. These are usually more hardy than DNA – and because they are what the genes in the DNA code for, they can also provide genetic clues about the DNA that gave rise to them. She was able to collect information from 95 different proteins, four of which are known to differ between Denisovans and other hominins. For three of those, the skull had a Denisovan variant (sometimes in combination with another one on the other chromosome). Yet Fu still wanted to find DNA to confirm if the skull belonged to a Denisovan. And so she looked in the dental plaque on its single remaining tooth. It was a long shot: while plaque is a very hardy material, researchers more typically find bacterial DNA in it. It's rarer to find the DNA of the owner of the teeth. Against expectations, she did find a tiny amount of DNA there that was human and looked sufficiently old to have belonged to the skull itself, and not one of the people who have handled it since. (How a molar, jawbone, and pinkie are rewriting human history) 'They may have actually recovered many DNA fragments from me because I studied and handled the specimens so many times,' says paleoanthropologist Xijun Ni, who is based at the same institute and was one of the coauthors of the paper proposing Homo longi as a new species, but was not a coauthor on the current paper. (He is not convinced that the protein analysis is sufficiently specific, nor does he believe the degraded DNA is enough to identify the specimen as Denisovan.) Fu acknowledges in the paper 'a substantial proportion' of the DNA she found was clearly the result of contamination. But using the established protocols to select only the DNA that is indeed ancient, she found that the tiny amount of DNA that remains, like the proteins, confidently identifies the skull as Denisovan 'It contains 27 gene variants only found in the seven known Denisovan individuals,' says Fu. 'None of these can arise from modern human contamination.' 'The data are quite convincing,' says paleobiologist Frido Welker of the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, who specializes in the analysis of ancient proteins, but wasn't involved in this study. 'The Harbin cranium appears to be a Denisovan.' Other researchers are convinced as well. Since the description of [the Harbin skull] I was hopeful that we finally had a face for the Denisovans, and these papers prove it,' says Viola who has conducted excavations in Denisova cave. 'It's great that two different methods gave us the same result, this makes me much more confident that this is real.' Denisovans inhabited an even wider range than we thought These results provoke an unsettled question: Since Denisovans have never been formally described as a species, but Homo longi has, should we now refer to Denisovans as Homo longi? For some, the answer is clearly yes. 'Assuming the author's claim is true, then Denisovans are a population of Homo longi, just as New Yorkers and Beijingers are both Homo sapiens' says Ni. Paleoanthropologist Chris Stringer of the Natural History Museum in London, who has been collaborating with Ni and others on a new analysis of Chinese hominin fossils, agrees that even though 'it is increasingly likely that Harbin is the most complete fossil of a Denisovan found so far, Homo longi is the appropriate species name for this group.' But other researchers don't think it's useful to assign separate species names to hominins from this period. 'We ourselves do not use species names for Neandertals or Denisovans,' says paleogeneticist Svante Pääbo of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthrology, who leads the lab where Fu first analyzed the Denisovan DNA. 'We do not find it helpful as these are closely related groups that have been shown to mix and have fertile offspring, with each other and with our own direct ancestors. But if a species name is needed, we would simply call them all Homo sapiens.' (The best evidence yet that Roman gladiators fought lions: a bite mark) Naming discussions aside, a very exciting discovery remains: a kind of human we once only knew from a pinky bone dug up from a cave now has a face. And we now know this kind of human did not just live in Siberia where the first pinkie bone was found, but across much of East-Asia. Confidently identifying this fossil will also help researchers make sense of the many other mysterious fossils found across East-Asia, and will encourage them to try and get molecular evidence from those as well. This may also cast a new light on how and when Denisovans and our own ancestors interbred, which is why long after the death of the last direct descendant of the Denisovan 'Dragon Man', some of its genetic material still survives in people alive today.
Miami Herald
02-06-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
7,100-year-old skeleton reveals origins of ‘ghost' lineage in Tibetan Plateau
For tens of thousands of years, the people and cultures of southeast Asia have intertwined, moved around and diversified through time. The region, primarily encompassing modern-day China, is brought together today by shared language and culture, reflected now in their genetic makeup. But one group remains genetically isolated, separated geographically and culturally. The people of the Tibetan Plateau, an area also known as the Xizang Autonomous Region by the Chinese government and under the control of China, have what archaeologists have called a 'ghost ancestry,' researchers said in a study published May 29 in the peer-reviewed journal Science. Their genetic code varies 'significantly from modern East Asians,' researchers said in a May 29 news release from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Where and how this divergence occurred was a mystery, until the remains of a person from 7,100 years ago were found in Yunnan, China, according to the study. 'Nestled between the Tibetan Plateau, Southeast Asia, and southern China, the region known today as the Chinese province of Yunnan is home to the highest ethnic and linguistic diversity in China today. Ancient humans that lived in this region may be key to addressing several remaining questions on the prehistoric populations of East and Southeast Asia,' researchers said. The remains of a woman were found at the Xingyi archaeological site in central Yunnan, a site that dates to between 7,158 and 6,888 years ago, according to the study. The 7,100-year-old remains were included in an analysis of genomes from 127 ancient bodies found in the region, researchers said, but were distinct among the findings. The woman was found below all other layers of other burials, researchers said, and was dated to about 1,500 years older than the other remains. 'Although the individual genetically differed significantly from modern East Asians, the researchers noted that the individual's ancestry shared qualities similar to those of populations indigenous to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,' researchers said. 'This aligns with previous observations that these plateau populations have certain genetic characteristics that make them distinct from other present-day human groups.' Researchers called the finding a 'large piece of the puzzle,' because it explained that after an early Asian population separated in southwestern China around 40,000 years ago, it persisted in the region. Then, when humans migrated westward and north, the lineage went on to start the native Tibetan populations, according to the release. The lineage was named the 'Basal Asian Xingyi ancestry,' according to the study, and will help researchers learn more about the history of the Tibetan Plateau. Tibet is an autonomous region controlled by China, which is on Tibet's northern border. Yunnan Province in south-central China. The research team includes Tianyi Wang, Melinda A. Yang, Zhonghua Zhu, Minmin Ma, Han Shi, Leo Speidel, Rui Min, Haibing Yuan, Zhilong Jiang, Changcheng Hu, Xiaorui Li, Dongyue Zhao, Fan Bai, Peng Cao, Feng Liu, Qingyan Dai, Xiaotian Feng, Ruowei Yang, Xiaohong Wu, Xu Liu, Ming Zhang, Wanjing Ping, Yichen Liu, Yang Wan, Fan Yang, Ranchao Zhou, Lihong Kang, Guanghui Dong, Mark Stoneking and Qiaomei Fu.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- 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.
