A digital reconstruction of a million-year-old Chinese skull, Yunxian 2, suggests human evolution may have diverged 400,000 years earlier than previously believed and originated in Asia, not Africa. Researchers used advanced techniques to analyze the skull, revealing features closer to later human species than to Homo erectus. While the findings could reshape our understanding of human origins and the "Muddle in the Middle" period, experts caution that the conclusions are likely to be disputed and require further evidence.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.