Homo longi: A New Addition to the Homo Genus?

Artist rendition of Homo longi (by Chuang Zhao)

 

Paleoanthropological research has been very active over the past several years.  New discoveries are being announced regularly, and many are making very large impacts on our understanding of human evolution.  One such discovery is also making quite the stir among scholars as they debate the conclusions reached by the initial research team that discovered what they believe is a new hominid species: Homo longi.  Today’s blog post will discuss the interesting backstory of this species, its morphological characteristics, and the controversy concerning its placement within the Homo genus.

 

Homo longi is named after the location of the type specimen that Chinese, Australian, and British scientists studied.  The skull, which is also referred to as the Harbin Skull, is believed to have been from the area near Harbin City in the Heilongjiang Province.  The name of the province is translated to referencing dragons, so Homo longi is popularly nicknamed the “Dragon Man”.  The Harbin skull was originally discovered in 1933 by a Chinese man who hid it for decades.  It was during a death bed confession that he revealed that he had the skull, although it is unclear what motivated him to keep it hidden for so long.  In 2018 the skull was donated to the Hebei GEO University, where it was ultimately examined.

 

The international team initially noted that the skull was much larger than various contemporary skulls found throughout Asia.  Through a thorough examination they noted various morphological characteristics present in the species that were similar to previously existing hominid species, specifically cranial traits found in Homo erectus and heidelbergensis, as well as some potentially contemporary hominid species, including Homo neanderthalensis and sapiens.  Several key features included an extended cranial length, large nasio-occipital length, large supraorbital torus breadth, long and low cranial vault, recession in the fronto-parietal contour, rounded occipital contour, a lack of a sagittal keel, wide upper facial area, square eye orbits, and low lower facial area.  What was most fascinating was the brain size, which falls between that of H. neanderthalensis and sapiens.  Various dating techniques were completed on the Harbin skull, as well, and it is estimated to be a Middle Pleistocene hominid, having existed between 125,000 to 800,000 years ago.

 

Ultimately, the international team extended their analysis from the Harbin skull to various other Asian hominid specimens in hopes of learning more about the Harbin skull.  Through their research they concluded that they found five additional specimens that closely resembled the Harbin skull.  This led them to conclude that these six specimens belonged to a new hominid species: Homo longi.  This conclusion, however, is not without criticism.  Many within the paleontological community are hesitant to agree, claiming instead that the Harbin skull is a complete Denisovan skull.  Thus far only fragmentary remains of Denisovan specimens have been discovered and confirmed through ancient DNA studies.  Thus far it is believed that the Harbin skull has not had any DNA extracted, meaning it cannot be confirmed as either a new species or a Denisovan.

 

Regardless of where the Harbin skull ultimately falls within our human lineage it is clear that there remains so much more to learn about hominid evolution.  Furthermore, the renewed attention on Asia is leading to a wealth of new discoveries of hominid specimens.  This is enabling further study and an expansion of what we can learn about what it means to be human-culturally and biologically.

 

Bibliography

George, A. (2021, June 25). 'Dragon man' claimed as new species of ancient human but doubts remain. Retrieved from New Scientist: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2282223-dragon-man-claimed-as-new-species-of-ancient-human-but-doubts-remain/

Ji, Q., Wu, W., Ji, Y., Li, Q., & Ni, X. (2021). Late Middle Pleistocene Harbin cranium represents a new Homo species. The Innovation.

Sinclair, A. (2021, August 4). Is Homo longi an Extinct Human Species? Retrieved from Sapiens: https://www.sapiens.org/biology/homo-longi/

Timmerman, A., Yun, K.-S., Raia, P., Ruan, J., Mondanaro, A., Zeller, E., . . . Ganopolski, A. (2022). Climate effects on archaic human habitats and species successions. Nature, 495–501.

The Seri

Figure 1: Seri women (Source: Barojas 2018)

 

As a long time educator with nearly two decades of experience teaching at the collegiate level I often hear from my students and others the same question: “Why do we need to learn about this?”  There are various benefits to knowing and understanding anthropological method, theory, and application, but there is just as much need to understand, appreciate, and learn from other cultural groups.  Today’s blog post will provide an example of how learning about a culture group can lend itself to not only appreciating the people but also aid in preserving natural resources that millions of people use every day.  This blog post will introduce you to the Seri of northern Mexico and their ecological knowledge of their unique environment.

 

The Seri (also known as Comcaac) reside along the Mexican coast of the Sonoran Desert.  Today they occupy a small sliver of the territory they once occupied, which included the Shark Island (Tahejöc himquij in Seri), San Esteban Island (Cofteecöl hipcap in Seri), coasts of Kino Bay, as well as the villages of Punta Chueca (Socaaix in Seri) and Desemboque (Haxöl Iihom in Seri).  They have survived and thrived as band level foragers in this inhospitable environment for thousands of years.  The rocky and dry Sonoran Desert flanks the west, while the rich marine resources of the Gulf of California to the east provided the necessary resources that ensured their survival. Despite numerous attempts of assimilation during the colonial period the Seri managed to maintain much of their traditional cultural ways and language until the early 21^st century, when they succumb to pressures to assimilate by both the American and Mexican governments and private fishing industries.  In the 1970s they were provided exclusive fishing rights to the region, but they have managed to lose some of this autonomy as they are forced by private entities to surrender these rights.

 

The small Seri population, which numbers just under 1000, remains resilient and are actively fighting to retain their traditional culture practices.  Men continue to practice traditional hunting, fishing, and policing activities, but women have also joined these occupational activities, as well.  Women also continue to be artisans, crafting beautiful and intricate baskets, jewelry, and wood carvings that they sell to tourists to help eke out a living.  Seri men and women are actively sought out by scholars because of their extensive ecological knowledge.  Their extensive knowledge of marine life has been employed by marine biologists who use the Seri names for hundreds of different marine species.  This, in part, makes their language of high importance and interest among anthropological linguists, particularly those seeking to study and further understand Seri through the study of environmental linguistics.  Seri knowledge has also been integral in the successful integration of various conservation efforts employed to conserve and save local flora and fauna from extinction.

 

Unfortunately, this same care is not afforded to the Seri language.  Younger generations of Seri are refusing to learn the language, risking the loss of their culture and the ecological knowledge they carry with them through their language.  This has led biologists and conservationists to partner alongside the Seri to collect all ecological information they can.  The Seri, however, fiercely cling to their customs, encouraging them to be practiced through various major holidays and in daily activities.  Seri women can be found wearing traditional clothing, which is defined by long colorful skirts and dresses and painted faces (Figure 1).  Traditional arts and song are taught to the interested younger generations, many of whom learn as these remain a means of making money.  Many young Seri also dedicate their studies to learning alongside the biologists and conservationists they meet because they, too, are dedicated to preserving their local environments.  Together, the Seri remain hopeful and determined to continue existing despite the hardships they have and continue to face, be they natural or manmande.

 

Works Cited

Barojas, Daniel. "Seri Tribe (konkaak / comca’ac) of Sonora Mexico." Creative Pinellas 14 June 2018. Electronic.

Basurto, Xavier. "How locally designed access and use controls can prevent the tragedy of the commons in a Mexican small-scale fishing community." Society and natural resources (2005). Electronic.

López Torres, Núria. "An Intimate Look at Mexico’s Indigenous Seri People." New York Times 16 May 2022. Electronic.

Nachi, Nemer E., et al. "An ethnomedicinal study of the Seri people; a group of hunter-gatherers and fishers native to the Sonoran Desert." Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine volume (2015). Electronic.

Tikkanen, Amy. Seri people. 20 July 2017. Electronic. 17 April 2023.

Gift Giving Guide 19: Ideas for Presents for Your Favorite Anthropologist(s)

Biannually I dedicate blog posts to the presentation of gifts that may be suitable for anthropologists or individuals interested in anthropology (any and all subfields).  As we are nearing the end of the traditional semester and quickly approaching graduation season it seems appropriate to dedicate a post to this very topic.  Below are some of the latest additions to the list of gift ideas that may be appropriate for your anthropologically interested person.

Cultural Anthropology Gift Idea

The weather may be warmer, but who does not like a cozy and comfy sweatshirt?  This versatile item works for any anthropologist (regardless of subfield, gender identity, etc.), but we think that this is an excellent addition to the wardrobe of a cultural anthropologist given the emphasis on cultural studies.  You can customize by color and size, or check out the other options offered by Preet Parmar Designs to select a better fit for the cultural anthropologist you know. 

This Anthropologist: A Human Scientists and Cultural Analyst Sweatshirt is available through Preet Parmar Designs

 

Biological (Physical) Anthropology Gift Idea

If the biological anthropologist you know is interested in primatology, a fan of chimpanzees and/or Jane Goodall, wants to make a difference, or just likes socks then this unisex option may be the perfect fit!  Available through Maggie Stern Stitches, along with a variety of other socks and accessories!

Jane Goodall and Greybeard socks available through Maggie Stern Stitches

 

Linguistic Anthropology Gift Idea

Linguistic anthropologists do a lot of listening and often a lot of talking, which can lead to a thirst that requires quenching.  Be it their thirst for knowledge or satisfying beverage of choice this mug that brags about their awesomeness could hit the spot!  Check it out with Gifteye! 

A mug of varying sizes for that awesome linguist is available through Gifteye

Archaeology Gift Idea

 Archaeologists are expected to do a lot of things out in the field, including but not limited to surveying, excavating, mapping, illustrating, and taking detailed notes.  Why not give them a gift that they can really use with this handy notebook created by Artsaeologist Design.  If the notebook is not what you are looking for feel free to peruse their other archaeological options, which include pins, backpacks, stickers, and more!

 

Spiral archaeology notebook with dotted pages makes for a functional gift for the archaeologist you happen to know.  Available through Artsaeologist Designs