Homo juluensis: Possible 'New Ancient Human' Identified

by Dayanara Flores, age 17

A group of scientists has discovered an ancient human species while digging for fossils in East Asia. This newly discovered species is called ‘Homo juluensis.’

There is only one surviving species of hominin: Homo Sapiens, or modern human beings. However, there were other hominin species related to humans, which scientists are still trying to understand.

The species name Homo juluensis, meaning ‘big head,’ was chosen due to the notably large skulls of this hominin. In fact, scientists found that Homo juluensis has larger skulls and teeth than Neanderthals and Homo Sapiens. The fossils of Homo juluensis include several pieces of skull that break easily. Only 16 individual fossils of Homo juluensis have been discovered.

Homo juluensis lived approximately 300,000 years ago in Asia, specifically roaming in the woodlands of northeastern China. According to researchers, Homo juluensis hunted wild horses and deer. They estimate that the species lived as recently as 50,000 years ago.

Homo juluensis stands out among early human species for its unusually large skull. Understanding this species gives insight into life in the past and the evolutionary development that occurred in human ancestry.

[Sources: Popular Mechanics; BBC News]