Scientists say they've discovered a new species of human relative in the Rising Star cave in the Cradle of Humankind world heritage site outside Johannesburg
Scientists say they've discovered a new species of human relative in the Rising Star cave in the Cradle of Humankind world heritage site outside Johannesburg
Photo by Mark Thiessen/National Geographic
A composite skeleton of Homo naledi is surrounded by some of the hundreds of other fossil elements recovered from the Dinaledi Chamber of the cave.
A composite skeleton of Homo naledi is surrounded by some of the hundreds of other fossil elements recovered from the Dinaledi Chamber of the cave.
Photo by Robert Clark/National Geographic
"Overall, Homo naledi looks like one of the most primitive members of our genus, but it also has some surprisingly human-like features, enough to warrant placing it in the genus Homo," said John Hawks of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
"Overall, Homo naledi looks like one of the most primitive members of our genus, but it also has some surprisingly human-like features, enough to warrant placing it in the genus Homo," said John Hawks of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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Homo naledi's feet are almost identical to ours -- indicating that it was well-suited to long distance walking.
Homo naledi's feet are almost identical to ours -- indicating that it was well-suited to long distance walking.
John Hawks/UW-Madison University/Wits University
Homo naledi's hands suggest tool-making and climbing capabilities.
Homo naledi's hands suggest tool-making and climbing capabilities.
PETER SCHMID/WITS UNIVERSITY
The braincase of a composite male skull of Homo naledi measures just 560 cubic centimeters in volume — less than half that of the modern human skull pictured behind it.
The braincase of a composite male skull of Homo naledi measures just 560 cubic centimeters in volume — less than half that of the modern human skull pictured behind it.
Stefan Fichtel/National Geographic
Homo naledi's skull protected a brain about the size of an average orange, researchers say.
Homo naledi's skull protected a brain about the size of an average orange, researchers say.
John Hawks/UW-Madison University/Wits University
Homo naledi's teeth are similar to those of the earliest-known members of our genus, scientists say.
Homo naledi's teeth are similar to those of the earliest-known members of our genus, scientists say.
John Hawks/UW-Madison University/Wits University
The full findings of the expedition will be unveiled in the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.nationalgeographic.com%2F2015%2F09%2F150910-human-evolution-change%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">October issue of National Geographic magazine.</a>
The full findings of the expedition will be unveiled in the October issue of National Geographic magazine.
Photo by Mark Thiessen/National Geographic
"Underground astronauts" Marina Elliott and Becca Peixotto work inside the cave where fossils of Homo naledi were discovered.
"Underground astronauts" Marina Elliott and Becca Peixotto work inside the cave where fossils of Homo naledi were discovered.
Garrreth Bird/COURTESY OF NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
The six women were able to fit through a 7-inch opening in the cave to reach the chamber where the bones were found.
The six women were able to fit through a 7-inch opening in the cave to reach the chamber where the bones were found.
John Hawks/UW-Madison University/Wits University
"We have just encountered another species that perhaps thought about its own mortality, and went to great risk and effort to dispose of its dead in a deep, remote, chamber right behind us," Professor Lee Berger, the director of the project, told CNN.
"We have just encountered another species that perhaps thought about its own mortality, and went to great risk and effort to dispose of its dead in a deep, remote, chamber right behind us," Professor Lee Berger, the director of the project, told CNN.
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