郧县人头像复原图 倪喜军团队供图 "郧县人2号"头骨复原过程 倪喜军团队供图 "一件出土于中国、距今约100万年前的古人类头骨化石经重新分析后，对传统人类演化理论提出了 挑战。"中国科学院古脊椎动物与古人类研究所日前发布的消息引发众多关注。 该研究由中国科学院古脊椎动物与古人类研究所研究员、复旦大学特聘教授倪喜军主导，不仅揭示 出一个与神秘古人类"丹尼索瓦人"密切相关的演化支系——"龙人"（Homo longi），更将现代人、尼安 德特人与这一亚洲古人类支系的分化时间大幅推前，远超此前学界共识。相关研究成果于北京时间9月 26日在《科学》杂志发表。 科研人员重新分析"郧县人2号"头骨化石 据团队研究人员介绍，人类化石本就极为稀缺，但近年来，随着古人类学与考古学的迅速发展，越 来越多的重要标本被陆续发现和命名。其中不少被正式命名为人属的新物种——包括纳勒迪人、吕宋 人、巨颅人，以及此次研究聚焦的龙人。它们共同揭示出一个曾经多样并存的人属世界，与现代人祖先 共享着漫长的演化时光。 通过研究结果可知，重建后的"郧县人2号"头骨呈现出原始与进步特征交融的形态：低平的额骨和 突出的吻部类似更古老的直立人或海德堡人；而扁 ...

△"郧县人2号"头骨复原过程 来源：央视新闻客户端 记者从中国科学院古脊椎动物与古人类研究所获悉，该研究所倪喜军研究员团队对一件出土于中国、距 今约100万年前的古人类头骨化石重新进行了分析，揭示出一个与神秘古人类"丹尼索瓦人"密切相关的 新演化支系——"龙人"（Homo longi），并将现代人、尼安德特人与这一亚洲古人类支系的分化时间大 幅推前，远超此前学界共识。相关研究成果北京时间9月26日在国际学术期刊《科学》发表。 近年来，随着古人类学与考古学的迅速发展，越来越多的重要标本被陆续发现和命名。其中不少被正式 命名为人属的新物种——包括纳勒迪人、吕宋人、巨颅人，以及此次研究聚焦的龙人。它们共同揭示出 一个曾经多样并存的人属世界，与现代人祖先共享着漫长的演化时光。 △人属系统演化树 然而，这些新发现化石之间的亲缘关系，尤其是它们与已知人类物种，如：智人、尼安德特人、海德堡 人、直立人等如何联系，仍是学界争论的焦点。 科研人员开展研究的是被称为"郧县人2号"的这件头骨化石。该化石于1990年被发现于湖北省郧县（今 十堰市郧阳区）。由于出土时化石已严重破碎变形，研究难度极大，最初被暂归为直立人。"郧县人2 号 ...

Core Viewpoint - The recent research confirms that the "Longren" fossil, discovered in Harbin, China, is a member of the Denisovan lineage, providing significant insights into the morphology and distribution of Denisovans in East Asia, thus addressing a long-standing mystery in paleoanthropology [1][5][10]. Group 1: Research Findings - The "Longren" fossil, dated to at least 146,000 years ago, has been identified as belonging to the Denisovan group, which suggests a broader distribution of Denisovans across Asia [2][5]. - The study utilized advanced techniques in ancient protein and DNA analysis, achieving the highest quality ancient human protein data to date, identifying 95 endogenous proteins from the "Longren" fossil [6][9]. - The research established a direct link between the morphology of the "Longren" fossil and molecular evidence of Denisovans, marking a significant breakthrough in understanding the physical characteristics of this ancient human group [4][10]. Group 2: Methodological Innovations - The research team developed an automated system for ancient protein identification, which allowed for the analysis of a large number of peptide sequences, significantly enhancing the understanding of ancient human protein groups [6][9]. - Innovative extraction methods for ancient DNA from dental calculus were employed, enabling the successful retrieval of Denisovan-specific DNA from extremely small samples [6][9]. - The study's methodologies provide a new framework for future research on ancient human fossils, particularly in linking morphological and genetic data [10]. Group 3: Implications for Future Research - The findings open new avenues for exploring the interactions between Denisovans and other ancient human populations in East Asia, raising questions about their migration patterns and genetic contributions to modern populations [10]. - The research serves as a model for future studies aiming to connect complete fossil morphology with molecular evidence, which could further elucidate the diversity and evolutionary history of Denisovans and their relation to contemporary human groups [10].

Core Viewpoint - The discovery of the Harbin cranium, a well-preserved ancient human fossil, has led to the identification of a potential new hominin lineage named "Dragon Man" (Homo longi), sparking debates in the academic community regarding its classification and relationship with Denisovans [2][4][5]. Group 1: Discovery and Significance - The Harbin cranium is one of the most complete ancient human fossils discovered to date, with uranium-series dating indicating it is no younger than 146,000 years [2]. - The research published in The Innovation journal suggests that the cranium represents a new hominin lineage, "Dragon Man" [2]. - The cranium's discovery and subsequent research provide critical insights into the diversity and evolutionary history of ancient humans in East Asia [7][14]. Group 2: Controversy and Research Findings - There is ongoing debate in the academic community regarding the classification of "Dragon Man," with some researchers suggesting it may belong to the Denisovan lineage due to morphological similarities [4][5]. - The Denisovans are an extinct group identified through genetic evidence, with existing remains being fragmentary and lacking complete morphological features [5]. - Recent ancient DNA studies have provided key insights into the genetic affiliation of the Harbin individual, linking it to the Denisovan lineage and suggesting a close relationship with early Denisovans from Siberia [11][14]. Group 3: Methodology and Technological Advances - The research team successfully extracted ancient DNA from dental calculus of the Harbin cranium, marking a significant advancement in the study of ancient human genetics [6][10]. - The study involved optimizing extraction methods and developing bioinformatics techniques to analyze ancient DNA, overcoming challenges associated with contamination and degradation [10][11]. - The findings highlight the potential of dental calculus as a valuable source for ancient DNA, paving the way for future research in the field [14].