Homo longi: Extinct human species that may replace Neanderthals as our closest relatives found in China
In 1933 a mysterious fossil skull was discovered near Harbin City in the Heilongjiang province of north-eastern China. Despite being nearly perfectly preserved – with square eye sockets, thick brow ridges and large teeth – nobody could work out exactly what it was. The skull is much bigger than that of Homo sapiens and other human species – and its brain size is similar to that of our own species. Historical events left it without a secure place of origin or date, until today.
New Dates for Ancient Stone Tools in China
You probably think of new technologies as electronics you can carry in a pocket or wear on a wrist. But some of the most profound technological innovations in human evolution have been made out of stone. For most of the time that humans have been on Earth, we’ve chipped stone into useful shapes to make tools for all kinds of work.
Grantee Spotlight: Steffen Mischke
Steffen Mischke of the University of Iceland, Reykjavík, was awarded a Leakey Foundation Research Grant during our fall 2017 cycle for his project entitled "Environment of early hominins outside of Africa: The Nihewan Basin."
2018 Fellows Tour – “Origins: China’s Early Human History and Prehistoric Culture”
Join The Leakey Foundation on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to China. 21st century China presents a unique combination of the very ancient and the very modern. Our 2018 Leakey Foundation Fellows Trip led by Dr. Steve Kuhn will combine the very best of both. This exciting and educational trip will combine behind-the-scenes exploration of China's early human history with luxury experiences in the exciting modern cities of Beijing and Shanghai.
2018 Fellows Tour – “Origins: China’s Early Human History and Prehistoric Culture”
Join The Leakey Foundation on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to China. 21st century China presents a unique combination of the very ancient and the very modern. Our 2018 Leakey Foundation Fellows Trip led by Dr. Steve Kuhn will combine the very best of both. This exciting and educational trip will combine behind-the-scenes exploration of China's early human history with luxury experiences in the exciting modern cities of Beijing and Shanghai.