The Most Controversial Theory in Human Evolution

A new study, titled "The phylogenetic position of the Yunxian cranium elucidates the origin of Dragon Man and the Denisovans", makes the hypothesis that "The newly-reconstructed Yunxian 2 cranium represents a basal member of the Dragon Man and Denisovan lineage, and probably lies close to the last common ancestor of that lineage and the lineage of Homo sapiens." In other words, the Yunxian 2 skull may be the elusive Last Common Ancestor, and it's placement in China is a significant challenge to the Out of Africa Theory.

The Yunxian skulls, which were found in east-central China, are an important discovery in the field of paleoanthropology. They shed light on the intricate relationships that existed between ancient hominins, including Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, and Denisovans. The discovery of these skulls, which are believed to have been Homo erectus and date back to approximately 800,000 years ago, offers valuable insights into the evolution of humans in East Asia. Exploring the morphological characteristics of the Yunxian skulls, as well as their position within the larger hominin fossil record and the possible connections they have with other hominin species, is necessary for gaining an understanding of these skulls.

SOURCES:
YUNXIAN MAN
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.11...
SHUTTLE DISPERSAL MODEL
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles...

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