DNA Analysis Reveals Previously Unknown Human Species in Asia

Analysis of ancient DNA has revealed that a previously unknown human species lived in Southeast Asia until as recently as 30,000 years ago. ## The Evidence Genetic material from ancient bones shows a distinct human lineage that separated from other humans over 500,000 years ago. ## Coexistence with Modern Humans These humans overlapped with early modern human populations, and evidence suggests they may have interbred, leaving traces in today's Southeast Asian populations. ## Physical Characteristics Fossil evidence suggests they were smaller in stature than modern humans but had larger brain cases relative to body size. ## Rewriting Human History This discovery adds another branch to the human family tree and suggests our evolutionary history is more complex than previously understood.