This was proven by the discovery of an ancient skull by researchers in China.

According to a report by LadBible quoting an article by AFP, the large skull was first found at Harbin in 1933, and was nicknamed 'Dragon Man'.

It apparently was hidden for 85 years to protect it from the Japanese Army and came to the attention of scientists recently.

In 2018, it was dug up and handed to a professor called Ji Qiang at the Hebei GEO University.

The report said that the 140,000 years old skull had been analysed, and the results were eye-opening.

The analysis revealed the existence of a new species of ancient people that are more closely related to humans than the Neanderthals.

According to Human Origins, ​Neanderthals were our closest extinct human relative - that is until this latest finding.

A history-changing discovery

The findings, published in a journal called The Innovation stated that the 'Dragon Man' skull belonged to a large-brained male in his 50s with deep-set eyes and thick brow ridges.

The skull, which is 23cm long and more than 15cm wide, is substantially larger than a modern human skull.

The study also revealed that the male had a wide face with low and flat cheekbones that made him resemble modern humans more than other extinct human species.

Co-author Chris Stringer of the Natural History Museum told AFP that the 'Dragon Man' would be the 'sister species' to humans and closer ancestor of the modern man than the Neanderthals.