Chinese scientists uncover ancient human skull from 16,000 years ago
Chinese scientists have reconstructed the face of a prehistoric person who lived 16,000 years ago in South China using 3D technology. The fossil of the skull of this early man was discovered in the Yahaai Cave area in the village of Bolang in the Longan district of Guangxi.
According to Xie Guangmao, a researcher at the Guangxi Institute of Protection and Archeology, the burial area of Yahaai is the second Paleolithic burial area in China. The fossil is the only full human skull fossil found in the southern part of China, providing valuable insights into the diversity, migration, and communication practices of prehistoric populations during the Late Paleolithic Age.
The joint research team used computer-supported facial restoration methods and 3D modeling software to reconstruct the face of the prehistoric person. The team also applied 3D geometric morphometry to analyze and compare the similarities and differences between the skull from Yahuai Cave region and modern human skulls. The unique features of the skull, such as round lines, narrow eye line, and flat nose structure, are significant findings that shed light on early human physiology and the evolution of facial features in South China.
The research, published in the ‘Journal of Archeological Science’, serves as a critical reference for future anthropological studies. Experts emphasize the importance of this study in understanding the history and development of human populations in China.
