【新华社】“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 revealed new findings about human evolution and the evolutionary pathways of early mammals, utilizing advanced technologies to analyze ancient fossils [1][2][7]. Group 1: Human Evolution - The research on the Yuncheng Man skull, dated to approximately 1 million years ago, has clarified the human evolutionary lineage, indicating that multiple human groups had already diverged by that time [2][4]. - The study reconstructed the skull and identified features that suggest it belongs to an early representative of the Dragon Man lineage rather than Homo erectus, challenging previous classifications [2][4]. - The findings propose that the divergence of Homo sapiens, Dragon Man, and Neanderthals occurred earlier than previously recorded, thus reshaping the timeline of human evolution [2][4]. Group 2: Early Mammal Evolution - The research on the Sichuan Zizhong multi-toothed beast fossil, dating back 160 to 168 million years, has uncovered a unique jaw joint structure that indicates a significant evolutionary transition from reptiles to mammals [5][6]. - The study suggests that the multi-toothed beast's jaw joint adaptation was crucial for its burrowing lifestyle, providing insights into the evolutionary mechanisms of jaw structures in early mammals [5][6]. - Another fossil, the Lufeng quadruped from the early Jurassic period, has been identified as a transitional form in jaw joint evolution, filling gaps in the understanding of vertebrate evolution [6]. Group 3: Technological Innovations - Advanced technologies such as high-precision CT scanning and 3D reconstruction have been employed to analyze and reconstruct ancient fossils, enhancing the understanding of their morphology and evolutionary significance [7]. - The application of new statistical methods and high-resolution imaging has allowed researchers to validate their findings and improve the accuracy of fossil reconstructions [7]. - The ongoing use of innovative techniques is expected to continue revealing insights from previously dormant fossils, further enriching the understanding of life's history [8].