Million-Year-Old Skull in China May Reshape Human Evolution Timeline

CBS News reported on September 26, 2025, that the discovery and analysis of a million-year-old skull in China could fundamentally alter the timeline of human evolution. The fossil, known as Yunxian 2, was originally found in Hubei province in 1990 but has been digitally reconstructed, revealing features that challenge previous classifications. Previously thought to be Homo erectus, the skull's new analysis suggests it is more closely related to an extinct species called Homo longi, or "Dragon Man," and the mysterious Denisovans.

livescience.com reported, This reclassification suggests that the ancestors of modern humans may have split into distinct groups much earlier than previously believed. Researchers said the findings have the potential to resolve the "Muddle in the Middle," a confusing period in the human fossil record with sparse evidence. The study indicates a more complex and diverse human family tree, pushing back the divergence of our own lineage by potentially 400,000 years and raising new questions about where Homo sapiens first emerged.