New research suggests an ancient small-brained human cousin, Homo naledi, may have buried its dead and carved symbols into cave walls — a surprising behavior for a species with such a small brain. But some outside experts think more evidence is needed.
In this photo provided by National Geographic, researchers lay out fossils of Homo naledi at the University of the Witwatersrand's Evolutionary Studies Institute in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2014. The new species of human relative was discovered by a team led by National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Lee Berger of the University of the Witwatersrand deep inside a cave located outside Johannesburg.
Fossil remains of the species — named Homo naledi — were uncovered in underground caves in South Africa a decade ago. Now, researchers say they’ve found evidence that the species was capable of complex behavior that so far has only been seen in those with bigger brains. Berger and colleagues describe their findings in studies posted online Monday. The research has not been peer-reviewed yet and some outside scientists think more evidence is needed to challenge what we know about how humans evolved their complex thinking.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
To solve the mysteries of Homo naledi, he returned to the ‘cave of bones’To unearth the secrets of an ancient human relative, paleoanthropologist Lee Berger had to squeeze through a chute seven and a half inches wide—the length of a pencil.
Read more »
Homo naledi may have dug cave graves and carved marks into cave wallsProposed discoveries of humanlike activities by these ancient, small-brained hominids have elicited skepticism from some researchers.
Read more »
Homo naledi may have made etchings on cave walls and buried its deadNew discoveries suggest that Homo naledi, an ancient and primitive hominin, may have displayed complex behaviour despite its small brain
Read more »
Was a small-brained human relative the world’s first gravedigger—and artist?Researchers claim that Homo naledi, a small-brained human relative, buried its dead and made art long before our own species did.
Read more »
Californians step up efforts to halt fossil fuel investmentsPending legislation would force the state’s largest pension funds to divest from fossil fuels, as individuals increasingly seek green portfolios.
Read more »
Underground fungi absorb up to a third of our fossil fuel emissionsThe relationships between plants and the fungi that colonise their roots are responsible for locking a huge amount of carbon away underground – maybe equivalent to more than one-third of global fossil fuel emissions.
Read more »