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Scientists have reconstructed the face of a long-lost human ancestor who may have played a crucial role in our evolution. Experts used the Harbin skull, also known as the “dragon man,” which is a 150,000-year-old human skull found in China in 1933.

Paleo-artist John Gerche used fossils and genetic data from extinct species to recreate plastic copies of the remains. The specialist depicted the facial features of the ancient hominid using the ratio of eye size and eye sockets that African monkeys and modern humans have, DailyMail reports.

John Gerche also measured aspects of the skull’s bone structure to determine the shape and size of the nose. Next, the paleo-artist applied muscles to the face to show the first real look at the “unknown man.”

According to scientists, this species of human ancestors is called “Denisovans” after the cave in which some of their remains were found. They lived 200,000-25,000 years ago.

Studies of these fossils and DNA show that Denisovans lived on the Tibetan Plateau but traveled, as their footprints have been found in Southeast Asia, Siberia, and Oceania.

Scientists first sequenced their genetic code in 2010, using a 60,000-year-old finger bone found in Denisova Cave in Siberia. Interestingly, this DNA is found in modern humans around the world, including populations in Papua New Guinea.

Experts emphasize that this is strong evidence that Denisovans interbred with Homo sapiens before they disappeared. Along with Neanderthals, these ancient people are our closest extinct relatives, scientists say.

The researchers believe that this interbreeding helped Homo sapiens adapt to new environments as they expanded their range around the world, and thus played an important role in our evolutionary history.

Scientists note that despite a wave of research over the past two decades, much remains unknown about these early humans, as their fossil remains are incredibly scarce compared to Neanderthals.

But thanks to a skull that has been hidden for more than 80 years in northeastern China, we can now see what our Denisovan ancestors really looked like. Despite the fact that it is similar in size to a modern human skull, it has a wider mouth and a more protruding forehead, experts describe.