News Anthropology

An ancient child from East Asia grew teeth like a modern human

The youngster’s species is unknown for now

digital reconstruction of two teeth

GROWING MYSTERY  An investigation of growth lines in an ancient East Asian child’s teeth (two digitally reconstructed teeth shown) uncovered a developmental pattern similar to that of modern humans. But the child’s species is unclear.

 S. Xing and Paul Tafforeau

By Bruce Bower

- More than 2 years ago

An ancient child with a mysterious evolutionary background represents the oldest known case of humanlike tooth growth in East Asia, researchers say.