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The fossil remains were discovered by Chinese paleontologists in 2007.[1] The fossils were covered by a continuous layer of flowstone, a layer that was initially dated to around 113,000 to 100,000 BP.[1] A more thorough re-dating was later undertaken, and gives an estimated date of around 116,000 to 106,000 BP.[3]
Three pieces of hominin remains were identified: two upper molars (Zhiren 1 and Zhiren 2) and an anterior mandible (Zhiren 3).[1] The fossils are believed to have belonged to at least two different individuals, as Zhiren 1 and Zhiren 3 are unlikely to have come from the same individual.[1]
When compared to Late Pleistocene fossils from western Eurasia, Zhiren 1 and Zhiren 2 are smaller and would be classified as modern; however, the comparative context is lacking in East Asian Late Pleistocene fossils.[4][5] Zhiren 2 shows evidence for dental winging in its lower incisors, a feature that has only been found in Homo sapiens.[6]
Zhiren 3 contains a mix of archaic and modern human features.[1] The most significant aspect of Zhiren 3 is that it has a distinctively modern human chin.[1] Coupled with the dating, Zhiren 3 could possibly represent the earliest modern human fossil in East Asia.[1] However, many were skeptical of this conclusion, since this would significantly push back the general consensus on the dating of human migration out of Africa.[4][5]Peter Bellwood also cites the lack of archaeological finds (such as Neanderthal stone tools or tooth pendants)[7] associated with the fossils.[8]
Dennell, Robin (2014-02-24). Southern Asia, Australia and the search for human origins. New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN978-1-107-01785-6. OCLC841515684.
Martinón-Torres, María; Wu, Xiujie; Bermúdez de Castro, José María; Xing, Song; Liu, Wu (2017). "Homo sapiens in the Eastern Asian Late Pleistocene". Current Anthropology. 58 (S17). University of Chicago Press: S434 –S448. doi:10.1086/694449. ISSN0011-3204. S2CID91059374.
