Mysterious 'dragon man' skull found in the 1930s finally identified
A mysterious human skull found in the 1930s has been identified as an existing species after once being thought to be a new species all together, according to researchers.
The studies — posted in the journals Cell and Science — have identified the 146,000-year-old skull known as "dragon man" has been categorized as a Denisovan.
The researchers revealed that the Denisovans were discovered by their genomes and proteins to identify them.
However, the reason it took so long to identify was that the attempts to extract DNA from a tooth failed.
Researchers also tried extracting DNA from the Harbin cranium as well, which also failed.
When those methods failed, researchers turned to using dental calculus, which uses calcified dental plaque.
The calcified dental plaque could hold and protect DNA due to its dense crystalline structure that resists degradation in various environments.
Researchers used bleach on the dental plaque in order to eliminate any possible modern-day DNA.
Once extracted, researchers began to compare the genetic material discovered to previous samples.
The researchers found that the "dragon man" was not a new species but was a Denisovan and the very first intact specimen to date.
According to the researchers, Denisovans coexisted with modern-day humans and are closely related to Neanderthals.
The "dragon man" was discovered in mysterious circumstances when a Chinese laborer working on a bridge over the Songhua River found it.
The man kept the Harbin cranium well hidden as he was instructed to hide it from the Japanese army.
The skull was donated shortly before his death in 2018, after which his family relocated the skull and gave it to the Geoscience Museum, Hebei GEO University professor Qiang Ji.
While there are limitations to this study, the researchers said there is still so much to learn moving forward.
It was called "dragon man" because it was found in the Heilongjiang province of China, which translates to Black Dragon River.
Fox News Digital's Julia Musto contributed to this story.
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Innovent has launched [15/16] products in the market. It has [3/2] new drug applications under regulatory review, 4 assets in Phase 3 or pivotal clinical trials and 15 more molecules in early clinical stage. Innovent partners with over 30 global healthcare companies, including Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Incyte, LG Chem and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Guided by the motto, 'Start with Integrity, Succeed through Action,' Innovent maintains the highest standard of industry practices and works collaboratively to advance the biopharmaceutical industry so that first-rate pharmaceutical drugs can become widely accessible. For more information, visit or follow Innovent on Facebook and LinkedIn. Statement: Innovent does not recommend the use of any unapproved drug (s)/indication (s). Forward-looking statement This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The words 'anticipate', 'believe', 'estimate', 'expect', 'intend' and similar expressions, as they relate to Innovent Biologics ('Innovent'), are intended to identify certain of such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements regularly. These forward-looking statements are based on the existing beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, projections and understandings of the management of the Company with respect to future events at the time these statements are made. These statements are not a guarantee of future developments and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control and are difficult to predict. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of future changes or developments in our business, the Company's competitive environment and political, economic, legal and social conditions. The Company, the Directors and the employees of the Company assume (a) no obligation to correct or update the forward-looking statements contained in this site; and (b) no liability in the event that any of the forward-looking statements does not materialise or turn out to be incorrect. View original content: SOURCE Innovent Biologics
