Analysis of a 146,000-year-old skull nicknamed "Dragon Man", discovered in China in 1933, reveals a connection to Denisovans, an enigmatic group of early humans. Researchers extracted genetic material, confirming its link to the Denisovan genome. This discovery provides the first Denisovan skull, offering valuable insights into their appearance and place in human evolution. The findings could reshape understanding of human history and the co-existence of different hominin species, including Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, and Denisovans.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.