Researchers: Java humanoids, humans not directly related.

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun/Daily Yomiuri)

Researchers: Java humanoids, humans not directly related

Yomiuri

After examining the fossilized skull of a Java hominid, a team of Japanese and Indonesian scientists has concluded that the primitive hominids are not direct ancestors of human beings, it was learned Thursday.

Many scientists have already said DNA studies prove that Peking man, the Java hominid and the Neanderthal hominid did not evolve into modern human beings, but some scientists have continued to argue that Java hominids evolved into Australia's modern-day Aborigines.

The finding of the international team, comprising National Science Museum and Tokyo University researchers as well as Indonesian researchers, is seen as refuting that possibility.

According to team leader Hisao Baba, who also heads the Anthropology Department at the museum, the findings support the monogenesis theory.