Scientists have just uncovered a brand-new human species, and it’s not what they expected! 🧐 Fossils found in a mysterious cave revealed a group of ancient humans who were smaller but had some seriously advanced skills. Unlike other early humans, they seemed to survive in ways that don’t quite fit what we thought we knew about evolution. Their discovery is shaking up history, making experts rethink how different human species lived together. Could they have interacted with our ancestors? This big surprise is rewriting the story of humanity, and it’s only the beginning! 🔥 Credit:
Panel de manos: By Gabinete de Prensa del Gobierno de Cantabria - cantabria.es, CC BY 3.0 ES https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/es/, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68591972
CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0:
Homo Floresiensis Reconstruction: By Karen Neoh - https://flic.kr/p/i5xSH4, https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6740/homo-floresiensis-reconstruction/
Chris Messina: By Kenneth Yeung - www.thelettertwo.com, https://flic.kr/p/7PbYfG, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9955075
CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/:
Denisova Molar: By Thilo Parg, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41805108
Denisova Phalanx distalis: By Thilo Parg, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41805194
Denisova cave 02: By Yuriy59, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=147164763
MANOT CAVE SHELLS: By Manot Cave Expedition, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37844995
CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0:
Xiahe mandible: By Dongju Zhang, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=80532434
Xujiayao hominin: By Hong Ao, Chun-Ru Liu, Andrew P. Roberts, Peng Zhang, and Xinwen Xu - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2017.01.014, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=85938257
Homo erectus: By Jakub Hałun, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=113008349
Decorated shell: By João Zilhão and colleagues - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2017.e00435, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=89024489
CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0:
Fossil-dense: By Frank McMains/sketchfab, https://skfb.ly/oDCZC
Fossil: By Fuel3D/sketchfab, https://skfb.ly/VOwC
fossil (ethiopicus): By ferl3/sketchfab, https://skfb.ly/6stDI
Fossil: By SCDL/sketchfab, https://skfb.ly/6VQRG
Fossil whale ear bone: By mamlambo/sketchfab, https://skfb.ly/o9vsN
Peking Man Skull: By Redpath Museum/sketchfab, https://skfb.ly/6sBVs
Homo neanderthalensis skull: By Museo [UV] Historia Natural/sketchfab, https://skfb.ly/oSHBS
Australopithecus afarensis skull: By Museo [UV] Historia Natural/sketchfab, https://skfb.ly/oSHS6
Homo habilis: By Museo [UV] Historia Natural/sketchfab, https://skfb.ly/oSCMZ
Abandoned Room Interior: By jimbogies/sketchfab, https://skfb.ly/oC6Hq
Office Table: By Mikhail Kadilnikov/sketchfab, https://skfb.ly/ovGqV
Homo naledi hand: By Lee Roger Berger research team - http://elifesciences.org/content/4/e09560, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43071899
Homo naledi skeletal: By Lee Roger Berger research team - http://elifesciences.org/content/4/e09560, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43071595
Animation is created by Bright Side.
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This video is made for entertainment purposes. We do not make any warranties about the completeness, safety and reliability. Any action you take upon the information in this video is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any damages or losses. It is the viewer's responsibility to use judgement, care and precaution if you plan to replicate.
Panel de manos: By Gabinete de Prensa del Gobierno de Cantabria - cantabria.es, CC BY 3.0 ES https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/es/, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68591972
CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0:
Homo Floresiensis Reconstruction: By Karen Neoh - https://flic.kr/p/i5xSH4, https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6740/homo-floresiensis-reconstruction/
Chris Messina: By Kenneth Yeung - www.thelettertwo.com, https://flic.kr/p/7PbYfG, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9955075
CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/:
Denisova Molar: By Thilo Parg, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41805108
Denisova Phalanx distalis: By Thilo Parg, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41805194
Denisova cave 02: By Yuriy59, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=147164763
MANOT CAVE SHELLS: By Manot Cave Expedition, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37844995
CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0:
Xiahe mandible: By Dongju Zhang, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=80532434
Xujiayao hominin: By Hong Ao, Chun-Ru Liu, Andrew P. Roberts, Peng Zhang, and Xinwen Xu - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2017.01.014, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=85938257
Homo erectus: By Jakub Hałun, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=113008349
Decorated shell: By João Zilhão and colleagues - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2017.e00435, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=89024489
CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0:
Fossil-dense: By Frank McMains/sketchfab, https://skfb.ly/oDCZC
Fossil: By Fuel3D/sketchfab, https://skfb.ly/VOwC
fossil (ethiopicus): By ferl3/sketchfab, https://skfb.ly/6stDI
Fossil: By SCDL/sketchfab, https://skfb.ly/6VQRG
Fossil whale ear bone: By mamlambo/sketchfab, https://skfb.ly/o9vsN
Peking Man Skull: By Redpath Museum/sketchfab, https://skfb.ly/6sBVs
Homo neanderthalensis skull: By Museo [UV] Historia Natural/sketchfab, https://skfb.ly/oSHBS
Australopithecus afarensis skull: By Museo [UV] Historia Natural/sketchfab, https://skfb.ly/oSHS6
Homo habilis: By Museo [UV] Historia Natural/sketchfab, https://skfb.ly/oSCMZ
Abandoned Room Interior: By jimbogies/sketchfab, https://skfb.ly/oC6Hq
Office Table: By Mikhail Kadilnikov/sketchfab, https://skfb.ly/ovGqV
Homo naledi hand: By Lee Roger Berger research team - http://elifesciences.org/content/4/e09560, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43071899
Homo naledi skeletal: By Lee Roger Berger research team - http://elifesciences.org/content/4/e09560, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43071595
Animation is created by Bright Side.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Music from TheSoul Sound: https://thesoul-sound.com/
Check our Bright Side podcast on Spotify and leave a positive review! https://open.spotify.com/show/0hUkPxD34jRLrMrJux4VxV
Subscribe to Bright Side: https://goo.gl/rQTJZz
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https://www.shutterstock.com
https://www.eastnews.ru
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For more videos and articles visit:
http://www.brightside.me
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This video is made for entertainment purposes. We do not make any warranties about the completeness, safety and reliability. Any action you take upon the information in this video is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any damages or losses. It is the viewer's responsibility to use judgement, care and precaution if you plan to replicate.
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FunTranscript
00:00Throughout time, scientists have managed to uncover about 6,000 early human fossils, ranging
00:07from skulls to teeth.
00:09For some of these fossils, it was a breeze.
00:12Researchers could instantly identify them as belonging to, say, the Neanderthals.
00:16However, when it came to others, things got a bit trickier.
00:21Some fossils just didn't fit into any existing categories.
00:25So what categories of prehistoric humans do we actually know about?
00:31Up until recently, we recognized 8 different species of early humans.
00:36One of these is Homo habilis, which means handyman.
00:39You'll recall that Homo is Latin for human.
00:42They resembled regular primates but were pivotal in our evolution.
00:47They were the first to create stone tools, which significantly aided their daily activities,
00:53such as butchering.
00:55Next up, we have Homo redolphensis.
00:58These guys were larger than Homo habilis and boasted bigger brains, but they were still
01:03quite distant from modern humans.
01:05For example, even though the neurological structure of their brains was becoming more
01:10complex, they were probably not capable of using any form of actual spoken language.
01:16Then came Homo erectus, the first to walk upright, followed by Homo antecessor, which
01:22is considered the last common ancestor of modern humans and Neanderthals, along with
01:27a host of other Homo species.
01:29Meanwhile, we're still piecing together the story of the enigmatic denosavans.
01:35Our knowledge of Homo naledi is pretty limited too, since it was only discovered in 2013,
01:41and it is species number 8.
01:44Interestingly, naledi means star in the Sotho language because they were found in a cave
01:49called Rising Star.
01:51Researchers were taken aback by them.
01:53Everything suggested they were around 2 million years old.
01:56But after closer examination and some tests, it turns out that the naledi species is much
02:02younger, between 236 and 335 thousand years old.
02:08Their hands were adapted to making tools, yet no tools have been found nearby.
02:13Long story short, they're a puzzling species, and there's still so much more to learn about
02:17them.
02:20Even though today we have only one human species on our planet, Homo sapiens, we continue to
02:25discover ancient species that are long gone.
02:29Now you might wonder why researchers study these extinct species.
02:33The truth is, they need this knowledge to piece together the intricate narrative of
02:37our prehistoric past.
02:39In 2024, a significant discovery emerged – the 9th human species, named Homo giluensis, which
02:47translates to large-headed.
02:50Researchers suggest that this species hunted wild horses, crafted stone tools, and processed
02:55animal hides to survive harsh winters.
02:58A researcher from the University of Hawaii noted that the discovery of this potential
03:03new species came about while his team was developing a novel method for classifying
03:08fossil evidence.
03:10Interestingly, one potential representative of Homo giluensis isn't entirely new to
03:16science.
03:17The Denisovans, first identified in 2010 through DNA analysis of a finger bone found in Siberia,
03:23have yet to be classified as a distinct species.
03:27Some scientists propose that they may actually belong to this newly identified group.
03:33These big-headed individuals could help shed light on the long-standing mysteries surrounding
03:38these hominin fossils, which have puzzled researchers due to their mixed characteristics
03:43of Homo erectus and Homo sapiens.
03:47You see, sometimes it's tough to call a spade a spade when you don't even know what
03:51a spade looks like.
03:53You get the idea?
03:54Many unsolved mysteries linger, simply because scientists haven't had this crucial big-headed
03:59piece of the puzzle.
04:01So theoretically, we modern humans could also be considered a bit of Homo giluensis.
04:07You don't believe me?
04:08Well, watch this!
04:11We need to consider two key facts for this equation.
04:14First, there are the Denisovans, a group we might refer to as Homo giluensis from a scientific
04:20perspective.
04:21Yeah, this is just a theory proposed by some researchers, but let's roll with it for
04:25now and pretend it's a fact.
04:28Second, it's important to know that the Denisovans interbred with the ancestors of
04:33modern-day Melanesians.
04:35These folks inhabit areas ranging from New Guinea to the Fiji Islands and carry between
04:414% and 6% Denisovan DNA.
04:44You might not personally have those genes, unless you've been tested, of course.
04:48But the key takeaway here is that there are modern humans today who share genetic links
04:53with the Denisovans, or Homo giluensis, or big heads if you prefer.
04:58Now, that all sounds pretty plausible.
05:01Let's unpack step-by-step how it happened.
05:06Researchers have uncovered this type of ancient human, known as the Denisovans, based on
05:10skeletal remains found in Siberia.
05:14These ancient humans coexisted and interbred with modern humans, adding yet another layer
05:19to our understanding of human evolution.
05:22Named after the Siberian caves where their fossils were discovered, the Denisovans are
05:27believed to have roamed widely across Eurasia.
05:31Evidence indicates that the Denisovans lived alongside Neanderthals and interacted with
05:36early Homo sapiens, possibly around 50,000 years ago.
05:41A team of scientists successfully sequenced a complete genome from these ancient homonyms
05:46using nuclear DNA extracted from a finger bone.
05:50This discovery reveals that at least 4 distinct human groups existed during the time when
05:56anatomically modern humans began migrating out of Africa.
06:00Alongside modern humans and Neanderthals, we now have to consider the Denisovans and
06:05another small human species from Indonesia, often referred to as the Hobbit, when discussing
06:10our evolutionary history.
06:14One intriguing question that arises is why Denisovan genes are predominantly found in
06:19modern Melanesians, yet absent from other Eurasian populations.
06:23Remember that 4-6%?
06:26One hypothesis suggests that interactions between the Denisovans and early modern humans
06:31were limited and brief, especially as humans migrated throughout Southeast Asia into Melanesia.
06:39Scientists speculate that only a small number of the Denisovans may have interbred with
06:43a larger group of modern humans.
06:46This could explain how the Denisovan genes made their way into the gene pool despite
06:50the likelihood of infrequent encounters.
06:53Anyway, the more scientists dig into our past, the more fascinating things they uncover about
06:59our ancestors.
07:01Take Neanderthals, for example.
07:03Did you know these guys were responsible for creating the very first piece of art ever?
07:08I had no idea.
07:10But a 2018 study of ancient cave art in Spain revealed what are now considered the oldest
07:16known artistic creations.
07:19We used to think Neanderthals lacked the cognitive skills needed for art.
07:23But it turns out they were actual art pioneers!
07:27Not only did they create art, but they also seem to have invented hashtags thousands of
07:32years before Chris Messina did it in 2007.
07:35Right, I'm kidding, but you'll soon get why I mention hashtags.
07:40The artworks found in several caves in Spain include simple hand stencils, a ladder-like
07:45drawing, and various other markings.
07:48Until recently, these prehistoric pieces were believed to have been made by early humans.
07:53But new testing methods suggest they're much older than we thought.
07:57Above all, the earliest recognized Neanderthal artwork, which looks like a hashtag, was discovered
08:03in Gibraltar back in 2014.
08:08To determine the age of these artworks, scientists employed advanced dating techniques using
08:13eHarmony and Match.com.
08:15Oops, wait a minute, wrong dating techniques.
08:18They actually used uranium and thorium radioisotopes instead of the traditional carbon dating.
08:25Once the necessary tests were completed, they confirmed the art was approximately 65,000
08:30years old, 15,000 years older than the previously oldest known art from Indonesia.
08:37At that time, the only species around were Neanderthals, so it's safe to say they were
08:42behind these creations.
08:46Modern humans didn't arrive in Spain until about 20,000 years later.
08:51That rules them out as the hashtag creators.
08:55The hand stencil was likely created intentionally, with the artists preparing the pigment and
09:00applying it over their hand.
09:02Plus, the caves also contain a collection of painted seashells that are an astonishing
09:08115,000 years old.
09:11Some of these shells have been drilled, suggesting they might've been used as jewelry.
09:17Some specialists argue that the fact Neanderthals created art hints that they might've also
09:22had some form of spoken language.
09:25So maybe it's time we fully embrace Neanderthals as part of our lineage.
09:30They're humans too, just a different branch of our family tree.
09:34While these findings are intriguing, some experts remain skeptical about the new dating
09:39methods, claiming they're not entirely convinced.
09:42Hey, what do you think?
09:44Share your thoughts in the comments!
09:46That's it for today!
09:48So hey, if you pacified your curiosity, then give the video a like and share it with your
09:52friends!
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