远古发现丨“老化石”里发现“新秘密”：新成果破解多项生命演化之谜

Core Insights - Recent studies by the Chinese Academy of Sciences have unveiled new findings from ancient fossils, shedding light on human evolution and the evolutionary pathways of early mammals [1][3][5] Group 1: Human Evolution - The research on the Yuncheng Man skull, dated to approximately 1 million years ago, has revealed that it is not a representative of Homo erectus but rather an early member of the Dragon Man lineage, suggesting that human ancestors had already diversified into multiple groups by that time [3][4] - The study has redefined the timeline of human evolution, indicating that the divergence of Homo sapiens, Dragon Man, and Neanderthals occurred earlier than previously recorded [4][5] Group 2: Mammalian Evolution - The study of the Sichuan Ziguang multi-toothed beast fossil, dating back 160 to 168 million years, has provided insights into the evolution of jaw joints, showing a unique "tooth bone-cheekbone" joint that offers stability and strength similar to modern mammals [5][7] - Another fossil, the Lufeng curved bone beast from the early Jurassic period, has been identified as a transitional form in jaw joint evolution, filling a gap in understanding the evolutionary mechanisms of vertebrates [7][8] Group 3: Technological Innovations - Advanced technologies such as high-precision CT scanning and 3D reconstruction have been employed to analyze and reconstruct ancient fossils, allowing researchers to uncover new details and validate their findings through extensive simulations [8][9] - The integration of these technologies has revitalized the study of long-dormant fossils, enhancing the understanding of life's history [10]