Mysterious skull fossils expand human family tree

Fossils found in Israel hint that a previously unknown group of hominins — the Nesher Ramla people — were the direct ancestors of Neanderthals. And researchers have suggested that an ancient human skull found in China in the 1930s could belong to a new species, Homo longi (Dragon Man), which might be an even closer relative of modern humans than are Neanderthals. But both findings have sparked debate among scientists. The studies are based on analyses of the size, shape and structure of fossilised bones — methods that are subject to individual judgement and interpretation. As is often the case for fossil finds, there is no DNA evidence.