Ancient 'Big Head' Human Species Discovered in Asia
Scientists have identified a potential new species of ancient human, Homo julurensis, characterized by an abnormally large skull, which lived in China between 300,000 and 50,000 years ago. This species, dubbed the 'big head people,' may have had a larger brain than any known hominin, including modern humans. Researchers argue that these fossils, previously grouped with other hominins like Denisovans, display unique features warranting classification as a separate species. The discovery challenges the simplicity of the human evolutionary tree in Asia, suggesting more complex interbreeding and shared ancestry among ancient hominins.