New work on the fascinating #Yunxian2 skull (1 million years old) suggests an old evolutionary split between human groups
#fossils #evolution #anthropology
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/09/25/science/skull-denisovans-dragon-man-human-evolution
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@RadicalAnthro The skull reconstruction and its comparison to Denisovans is interesting, but the conclusions about a deep split of >1MYA between Denisovans on one hand and humans and Neanderthals on the other seems far too speculative and in contrast to genetic evidence. I find John Hawks' analysis useful: https://www.johnhawks.net/p/the-problem-skulls-from-yunxian
He's too polite to raise it, but I feel that nationalism is playing a role in this analysis, i.e., to centre human evolution in China, where they have long believed in continuity between H. erectus and modern Chinese populations. I don't really understand why Chris Stringer is going along with it and why Science's editors and peer reviewers didn't make them tone down their conclusions.
@mattjhodgkinson I know what you say but this is not in my understanding multiregional continuity between H erectus and modern people in China. And yes the headlines are stupidly exaggerated.
My understanding is Yunxian (actually bigger brain than H erectus) lies fairly close to whatever was LCA for us, Denisovans (and also Neanderthals). Since it seems to lie near H antecessor which is right over the other side of Eurasia (Atapuerca, S del Elefante etc) this is not really centering on China but putting E Asia into a wide picture, isn't it? The idea that some Middle East/Asia lineages flow back into Africa on this timescale is interesting.
I always find Hawks instructive so thanks for that. But there is NO way Chris Stringer would capitulate to or fall back on any form of multiregional model. We always trust Stringer and that he will change his mind with evidence. He now puts it: (Mostly) Out of Africa. We do work on human symbolic origins which we have no serious doubt emerged in Africa (Fauresmith to Middle Stone Age) much later than this specimen.
@RadicalAnthro I've always viewed Stringer as level-headed too, ever since I studied biological anthropology at part of my uni course. I just get grumpy when each new fossil description "changes our picture of human evolution"!
A Eurasian origin of the Sapiens-Neanderthal-Longi(-Heidelbergensis-Antecessor?) clade is certainly possible. Post-erectus Homo needs a catchy catch-all name: Macrocephalus?
@mattjhodgkinson I quite agree about the sensationalise headline business just too get people to read but it isn't needed really.
We are hosting Chris to come and speak on this on Nov 11, at UCL. Come and chat to him, he is always very friendly.
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