Episode 56 – Dragon Man

Combing through the internet for new scientific discoveries can, as we’ve seen, sometimes lead to the most ridiculous headlines. After all, if that wasn’t the case this podcast wouldn’t even exist. In a few rare and beautiful moments, though, Google says hey man you might enjoy this. I have to hand it to you my eerily always listening AI friend, you nailed this one. Ok so the headline may read Dragon Man, which despite our hopes was not a reference to Trogdor, the burninator, but what it truly is, is more fascinating than we assumed. Before the phrase blows up all over social media and we start hearing conspiracies of some dragon-human Shrek style hybrid, join hosts Shanti and Danny as we talk about the science and see if we can’t generate a, you heard it here first, moment for many of you.

Larkin, A.; Massive “Dragon Man” Skull Found in China Might Be a New Human Evolutionary Branch. CBSNews. 29-Jun-2021. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dragon-man-skull-found-china-evolution/

Shao, Q., et. al.; Geochemical Provenancing and Direct Dating of the Harbin Archaic Human Cranium. The Innovation: CellPress Partner Journal. 25-Jun-2021. https://www.cell.com/the-innovation/pdf/S2666-6758(21)00056-4.pdf

George, A.; ‘Dragon Man’ Claimed as New Species of Ancient Human but Doubts Remain. NewScientist. 25-Jun-2021. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2282223-dragon-man-claimed-as-new-species-of-ancient-human-but-doubts-remain/

Jacobs, Z., et. al.; Timing of Archaic Hominin Occupation of Denisova Cave in Southern Siberia. Nature. 30-Jan-2019. 565 (594 – 599). Doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-018-0843-2

Relethford, J.; Genetic Evidence and the Modern Human Origins Debate. Heredity. 05-Mar-2008. 100: (555 – 563). Doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.2008.14

Callaway, E.; ‘Minimal’ Cell Raises Stakes in Race to Harness Synthetic Life. Nature News. 24-Mar-2016. 531: (557 – 558). Doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/531557a

Subbaraman, N.; First Monkey-Human Embryos Reignite Debate Over Hybrid Animals. Nature News. 15-Apr-2021. 592: (497). https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01001-2