Evolutionary biologists are attempting to reconstruct the ancient world and uncover four other human species that coexisted with contemporary humans.
Recent archaeological findings are altering the tale of human beginnings after revealing new human species and stunning signs of sophisticated behavior.
Scientists have been able to determine that Neanderthals and Denisovans, interbred with contemporary humans. New DNA evidence reveals that the Denisovans were a vast population that lived throughout much of Asia for ten thousand years.
Denisovan or Denisova hominin is an extinct species of human of the genus Homo. Unlike Neanderthals and contemporary humans, the Denisovans possessed exceptionally huge and unique teeth.
The other archaic human species also believed to have been there at the same time include the ‘hobbits’ who were discovered in Indonesia and the Red Deer Cave people from southwest China.
“It’s ground-breaking and mind-blowing stuff.” It’s altering the narrative of the human evolutionary story very, very quickly,” says Darren Curnoe, Associate Professor of biological anthropology and archaeology at the University of New South Wales.
The team that unearthed the Red Deer People’s bones was directed by Associate Professor Curnoe.
They may resemble more archaic human predecessors from 2 million years ago, yet their bones are just 13,000 years old.
Elen Feuerriegel, an Australian Ph.D. student, was part of a team of cavers and archaeologists known as the “underground astronauts” that discovered a new human species, Homo Naledi, in southern Africa last year.
A Hobbit with a little intellect and the ability to utilize stone tools, as shown by an artist. One of the key lingering mysteries is how did they get to Flores?
She told ABC’s Lateline that she made the finding by shimmying down a 12-meter-long shaft without any safety equipment.
“It was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had.”
Modern humans, or Homo sapiens, are thought to have originated in Africa approximately 200,000 years ago and spread over the world in successive waves, first settling in Asia and then as far south as Australia before arriving in Europe about 40,000 years ago.
As future archaeological expeditions focus on Asia, Associate Professor Curnoe predicts that additional species will be discovered.
“Archaeologists have overlooked Asia, yet it’s an evolutionary hotbed,” he remarked.
All of these new discoveries, paired with new techniques for recovering ancient DNA, are questioning long-held views about what it means to be human. It’s possible that we’ll have to let go of the notion that Homo sapiens is inherently smarter and more complex than other human species.
Pre-human creatures utilized stone tools 3 million years ago, and early humans like Homo erectus may have engraved engravings and engaged in some form of burial ritual more than 400,000 years ago, according to modern studies.
Neanderthals possessed brains that were similar in size to contemporary humans, if not somewhat larger.
A 35,000-year-old recreation of the face of a young Neanderthal lady who lived in France. AFP photo
They employed fire and sophisticated hunting weapons, buried their dead, wore jewelry, and looked after the weak and aged, according to evidence.
“Some of this data, as well as how it is interpreted, is divisive and is still being discussed. But I believe there is enough fresh data to dispel the notion that we are superior to other human beings, that we are more intellectual or knowledgeable.
There might be more inadvertent reasons why we are still here and they aren’t, since they’ve all left us alone. It’s possible that we made greater use of the DNA they left behind. Professor Curnoe claims that “we may have had the mongrel advantage,” which allowed us to live and develop.
Non-Africans have up to 4% Neanderthal DNA, whereas Indigenous Australians and Papua New Guineans have up to 6% Denisovan DNA, according to genetic research.
Neanderthals are said to have passed down red hair and increased immunity.
The Denisovans are also thought to have passed on improved immunity as well as the Tibetan gene for enduring high elevations.
Although much more study is needed before we can understand more about our forefathers and other creatures who coexisted with humans, new discoveries in the subject are just as contentious as they are fascinating to some.
