A skull discovered in a well in northeastern China in 2018, nicknamed “Dragon Man,” has been genetically linked to the elusive Denisovans, an ancient human group known mostly from small bone fragments.

This finding could be the first Denisovan skull ever identified, offering new insight into the appearance of this mysterious population.

Denisovans, discovered in 2010 through DNA from a finger bone in Siberia, lived alongside and interbred with early Homo sapiens and Neanderthals, CNN has reported.

The research, published recently, is expected to spark significant debate and help fill gaps in our understanding of human evolution and ancient interactions.

Written by B.C. Begley