The Peking Man fossils are a vital component of the Out of Africa 1 migration theory, which proposes that Homo erectus first appeared in Africa around two million years ago before spreading north and east (modern humans, Homo sapiens, would follow much later and supplant all other Homo species).

BBC: 'Peking Man' older than thought

But many questions remain about the genetic relationships between these early modern humans and present-day Homo sapiens populations.

BBC: Fossil human traces line to modern Asians

The Skhul and Qafzeh skeletons are not identical with those of modern people but are clearly distinguishable from those of Neanderthals, and are generally classified as an early form of Homo sapiens.

ECONOMIST: Gaining the upper hand