‘Homo bigheads’: Newfound human species roamed China’s woodlands with extra-large heads

Scientists have announced the discovery of a new human species, Homo juluensis, following extensive research published in Nature Communications. Professor Christopher J. Bae from the University of Hawaii and Xiujie Wu from the Chinese Academy of Sciences led the study, which sheds light on the diversity of ancient human populations in East Asia.

Homo juluensis lived approximately 300,000 years ago in eastern Asia, specifically roaming the woodlands of northeastern China. The fossils designated as Homo juluensis are fragmented and include several pieces of skull, jaw, and some teeth, as reported by Folha de S.Paulo. The remains of at least 16 individuals have been found, exhibiting unique characteristics such as larger skulls and teeth than Neanderthals and Homo sapiens, according to El Tiempo.

Bild reported that the early humans of Homo juluensis had a large head shape, with measurements notably larger than those of Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. However, scientists emphasize that head size does not necessarily indicate superiority of intelligence, as noted by Euronews Turkish.

The brain volume of Homo juluensis individuals could be quite large, in some cases reaching 1,700-1,800 cubic centimeters, while the average brain volume of modern humans is about 1,200 cubic centimeters, as reported by Correio Braziliense. Despite their larger skulls, it is questionable whether Homo juluensis were more intelligent than modern humans. Professor Christopher J. Bae revealed that Homo juluensis' larger brain did not necessarily mean they were smarter, and warned that the size disparity does not necessarily indicate greater intelligence, according to Bild.

Researchers were particularly intrigued by the size of the teeth of Homo juluensis. El Tiempo reported that the teeth significantly exceed in size those of Neanderthals and Homo sapiens, indicating unique adaptations. This led the team to compare the dental characteristics of Homo juluensis with those of the Denisovans, a mysterious group of ancient humans known primarily through DNA evidence and a few physical remains.

"The molars from Xujiayao of our type specimen are also quite large," Christopher Bae commented. "One of the things that always stood out about the molars from Denisova was that they were quite large," he added. The proposed relationship between Homo juluensis and Denisovans is based mainly on similarities in dental characteristics, particularly molar size and bite surfaces.

However, more research is needed to confirm the connection between Homo juluensis and the Denisovans. BioBioChile reported that the relationship based on similarities between jaw and tooth fossils needs to be tested with more research.

"The East Asian record is making us recognize how complex human evolution is in broader terms and really forces us to revise and rethink our interpretations of various evolutionary models to better match the growing fossil record," Professor Bae stated.

Homo juluensis were capable of remarkable things. They manufactured stone tools, indicating a high level of adaptation and complex social connections, as reported by Proceso. Bild noted that Homo juluensis likely processed animal hides for clothing, possibly for protection against the cold, and survived by hunting animals. They hunted wild horses in small groups, using all parts of the animals for sustenance, including meat, marrow, bones, and skins.

"They probably hunted in groups—surrounded and attacked things like horses," Christopher Bae said, referring to Homo juluensis.Professor Bae stated. "Life in northern China is not exactly easy; especially in winter, it gets very cold. They processed the hides of hunted animals with stone tools," he added.

The study suggests that Homo juluensis organized into independent small groups and communities. El Tiempo reported that researchers estimate they formed small hunting communities, which may have contributed to their vulnerability due to small group living and population size.

The decline of the Homo juluensis population could be attributed to drastic climatic changes of the Late Quaternary, an era marked by repeated glacial periods. Primera Hora noted that this period was characterized by major climatic changes, including a glacial period that brought a colder and drier climate, contributing to the extinction of Homo juluensis.

"They genetically subjugated indigenous populations like the Neanderthals and the Juluensis," Bae said. This suggests that Homo juluensis began to disappear as they integrated with the first modern humans who came to China about 120,000 years ago, according to Euronews Turkish.

The discovery of Homo juluensis adds to the understanding of the morphological and genetic diversity of ancient humans in Asia during the Pleistocene. "The diversity among human fossils from East Asia is greater than we expected," the authors stated, according to La Nación.

"This study clarifies a hominin fossil record that has tended to include anything that cannot easily be assigned to Homo erectus, Homo neanderthalensis, or Homo sapiens," Bae said. 

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq