Scientists say they’ve discovered a new member of the human
family tree, revealed by a huge trove of bones in a barely accessible,
pitch-dark chamber of a cave in South Africa.
The creature shows a surprising mix of human-like and more
primitive characteristics- some experts called it “bizarre” and
“weird.”
primitive characteristics- some experts called it “bizarre” and
“weird.”
The discovery presents some key mysteries: How old are the
bones? And how did they get into that chamber, reachable only by a complicated
pathway that includes squeezing through passages as narrow as about 7½ inches
(17.8 centimeters)?
bones? And how did they get into that chamber, reachable only by a complicated
pathway that includes squeezing through passages as narrow as about 7½ inches
(17.8 centimeters)?
The site, about 30 miles northwest of Johannesburg, has
yielded some 1,550 specimens since its discovery in 2013. The fossils represent
at least 15 individuals.
yielded some 1,550 specimens since its discovery in 2013. The fossils represent
at least 15 individuals.
Researchers have named the creature Homo naledi
(nah-LEH-dee). That reflects the “Homo” evolutionary group, which
includes modern people and our closest extinct relatives, and the word for
“star” in a local language. The find was made in the Rising Star cave
system.
(nah-LEH-dee). That reflects the “Homo” evolutionary group, which
includes modern people and our closest extinct relatives, and the word for
“star” in a local language. The find was made in the Rising Star cave
system.
The creature, which evidently walked upright, represents a mix
of traits. For example, the hands and feet look like Homo, but the shoulders
and the small brain recall Homo’s more ape-like ancestors, the researchers
said.
of traits. For example, the hands and feet look like Homo, but the shoulders
and the small brain recall Homo’s more ape-like ancestors, the researchers
said.
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