Humanity's mystery new cousin is surprisingly young: 335,000-year-old fossils of Homo naledi transform our understanding of human evolution

  • Homo naledi fossils were first discovered in the South African caves in 2013
  • Remains of three new individuals have now been found in another chamber
  • Bones are 335,000 and 236,000 years old, making them younger than thought Researchers believe the homo naledi could have been hoarding the dead
  • They say that this is a sign of intelligence and could be the 'deepest roots of human cultural practices'

Deep within the Rising Star Cave system in South Africa, archaeologists have discovered the remains of at least three Hominin naledi.

The age of the remains has been revealed to be startlingly young, suggesting the species was alive sometime between 335,000 and 236,000 years ago.

This places this population of primitive small-brained hominins at a time and place that it is likely they lived alongside modern humans.

This is the first time that it has been demonstrated that another species of hominin survived alongside the first humans in Africa. 

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Archaeologists in South Africa have discovered the remains of at least three Hominin naledi (skull of one is pictured). The age of the remains has been revealed to be startlingly young, suggesting the species was alive sometime between 335,000 and 236,000 years ago

Archaeologists in South Africa have discovered the remains of at least three Hominin naledi (skull of one is pictured). The age of the remains has been revealed to be startlingly young, suggesting the species was alive sometime between 335,000 and 236,000 years ago

Researchers from James Cook University in Queensland have been analysing fossils of the hominid Homo naledi, found deep in the Dinaledi Cave in South Africa's Rising Star cave system in 2013.

And in a separate study, a team of researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison discovered new remains belonging to three Homo naledi, including one they have named 'Neo', in a separate cave chamber. 

Using state-of-the-art dating techniques, the researchers have found that Homo naledi lived in Africa between 236,000 and 335,000 years old.

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT HOMO NALEDI 

Pictured is an artist's impression of the Homo naledi 

Pictured is an artist's impression of the Homo naledi 

- Homo naledi lived in Africa between 236,000 and 335,000 years ago

- The species' feet share many features with a modern human foot, indicating it is well-adapted for standing and walking on two feet 

- Wrist bones and thumb show anatomical features that are shared with Neanderthals and humans and suggest powerful grasping and the ability to use stone tools

- Finger bones are more curved than most early fossil human species, suggesting that H. naledi still used their hands for climbing in the trees

- The species had delicate bones of the inner eye region and nose

- The average height of the Homo naledi was around 5 feet (1.5 metres)

- They had a brain the size of an orange - this is around one third the size of a human brain

- Homo naledi may have stored the dead, suggesting they were an intelligent species

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Professor Paul Dirks, who led the study, said: 'The oldest dated fossils of Homo sapiens in Africa are around 200,000 years old.

'And now we have a very primitive looking hominid that probably existed at the same time as them.

'This is the first time one of these primitive hominids has been found in association with more modern humans in Africa.'

The first bones of the Homo naledi species were located in the Rising Star cave system in South Africa's Gauteng province in a remote chamber that can only be accessed via several steep climbs and fissures (arrangement of fossils pictured)

Homo naledi was very different from archaic humans that lived around the same time. Pictured left is a Kabwe skull from Zambia, an archaic human, while pictured right is Neo's skull. The discovery raises questions as to why humans developed such large brains

Homo naledi was very different from archaic humans that lived around the same time. Pictured left is a Kabwe skull from Zambia, an archaic human, while pictured right is Neo's skull

Professor Dirks said the implications of the new dates are profound.

He added: 'When we first identified the fossils, most of the paleo-anthropologists on site were convinced that they would be a million or two million years old, but we have now shown they are much more recent.

'It means that a primitive hominid persisted on the landscape in Africa for a very substantial period of time. Well beyond what paleo-anthropologists predicted to be possible.'

THE TWO STUDIES IN BRIEF 

The age of Homo naledi

Organisation: James Cook University in Queensland

What they did: Analysed and dated the original fossils of the hominid Homo naledi, found in the Dinaledi Cave in 2013

Key findings: Homo naledi lived in Africa between 236,000 and 335,000 years old. This suggests the species lived there alongside humans

The intelligence of Homo naledi

Organisation: University of Wisconsin-Madison

What they did: Discovered new remains belonging to three Homo naledi - two adults and a child, including one they have named 'Neo', in a separate cave chamber 

Key findings: The new fossils were found in a chamber some distance from the Dinaledi Chamber - the cave where Homo naledi was originally found

This suggests that the Homo naledi was storing its dead – a surprising behaviour that indicates the species was intelligent

Analysis of a foot showed Homo naledi's feet share many features with a modern human foot, indicating it is well-adapted for standing and walking on two feet. Pictured is a graphic summarising what is known about the species 

Analysis of a foot showed Homo naledi's feet share many features with a modern human foot, indicating it is well-adapted for standing and walking on two feet. Pictured is a graphic summarising what is known about the species 

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He said the structure of Homo naledi's hands meant it could have been a toolmaker.

He added: 'The new dating puts it on the landscape at a time from which we find lots of tools in Africa in the middle stone-age.

'One of the implications of the new dates is that it's no longer automatically possible for us to assume that early homosapiens were making these tools.'

The researchers believe that the findings could re-write the evolution of our ancient ancestors. 

Analysis of the bones (pictured) indicates  the extinct species may have been uniquely adapted for both tree climbing and walking, while also being capable of precise manual manipulation

Analysis of the bones (pictured) indicates the extinct species may have been uniquely adapted for both tree climbing and walking, while also being capable of precise manual manipulation

The researchers believe that the structure of Homo naledi's hands meant it could have been a toolmaker. Pictured are hand and jaw bones found in the South African cave system 

The researchers believe that the structure of Homo naledi's hands meant it could have been a toolmaker. Pictured are hand and jaw bones found in the South African cave system 

Professor Dirks added: 'We have many different branches on the family tree and it is only fairly recently that there is only one survivor on the landscape. 

'The new dating of the fossils opens up all sorts of possibilities for an interchange of tool use, cultural activities and behaviours between and homo sapiens.'

In the second study, a team of researchers also discovered new Homo naledi remains in another cave chamber.

Using state-of-the-art dating techniques, the researchers have found that Homo naledi lived in Africa between 236,000 and 335,000 years old

Using state-of-the-art dating techniques, the researchers have found that Homo naledi lived in Africa between 236,000 and 335,000 years old

The two collections of Homo naledi fossils (pictured) give science its most complete record of a hominin species other than modern humans and Neanderthals

The two collections of Homo naledi fossils (pictured) give science its most complete record of a hominin species other than modern humans and Neanderthals

DID HOMO NALEDI LIVE WITH HUMANS? 

Using state-of-the-art dating techniques, the researchers have found that Homo naledi lived in Africa between 236,000 and 335,000 years old. 

Professor Paul Dirks, who led the study, said: 'The oldest dated fossils of Homo sapiens in Africa are around 200,000 years old.

'And now we have a very primitive looking hominid that probably existed at the same time as them.

'This is the first time one of these primitive hominids has been found in association with more modern humans in Africa.'

Professor Dirks said the implications of the new dates are profound.

He added: 'When we first identified the fossils, most of the paleo-anthropologists on site were convinced that they would be a million or two million years old, but we have now shown they are much more recent.

'It means that a primitive hominid persisted on the landscape in Africa for a very substantial period of time. Well beyond what paleo-anthropologists predicted to be possible.'

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These new fossils were found in a chamber some distance from the Dinaledi Chamber - the cave where Homo naledi was originally found. 

The researchers suggest that this shows that the Homo naledi was storing its dead – a surprising behaviour that suggests the species was intelligent.

Dr John Hawks, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who led the study that found the new remains, said: 'This likely adds weight to the hypothesis that Homo naledi was using dark, remote places to cache its dead.

'What are the odds of a second, almost identical occurrence happening by chance?'

The new chamber, which the researchers have named the Lesedi Chamber, is nearly 100 metres from the Dinaledi Chamber where the first Homo naledi fossils representing at least 15 individuals were found.

So far, the team has retrieved more than 130 new Homo naledi fossils from the Lesedi Chamber. 

The new fossils come from at least three individuals - two adults and a child - and the researchers believe more will be recovered as their excavations continue.

The child, estimated to be under five years old, is represented by bones from the head and body.

Of the two adults, one is identified only by a jaw and leg bones.

Researchers who worked on the excavation say Homo naledi appeared to have unique shoulder features

Researchers who worked on the excavation say Homo naledi appeared to have unique shoulder features

But the skeleton of the third individual, dubbed 'Neo' is remarkably complete.

Researchers have reconstructed the skull, providing a much more complete portrait of Homo naledi.

Dr Peter Schmid, who reconstructed the skull, said: 'We finally get a look at the face of Homo naledi.'

A composite skeleton of the Homo naledi reveals its overall body plan. The findings suggest the species had human-like feet, and long, curved fingers for climbing trees

A composite skeleton of the Homo naledi reveals its overall body plan. The findings suggest the species had humanlike feet, and long, cureved fingers for climbing trees

Dr Lee Berger, who also worked on the study, added: 'The skeleton of Neo is one of the most complete ever discovered, technically more complete than the famous Lucy fossil given the preservation of the skull and mandible.'

The reconstructed skull has delicate bones of the inner eye region and nose, according to Dr Hawks.

He said: 'Some of the new bones add detail to what we knew before.

'The Neo skeleton has a complete collarbone and a near-complete femur, which help to confirm what we knew about the size and stature of Homo naledi, and that it was both an effective walker and climber.

The remains were discovered by researchers who were exploring the South African cave system known as Rising Star

The remains were discovered by researchers who were exploring the South African cave system known as Rising Star

In 2013, the researchers first discovered the first remains of the Homo naledi species in chamber called the Dinaledi Chamber 

In 2013, the researchers first discovered the first remains of the Homo naledi species in chamber called the Dinaledi Chamber 

'The vertebrae are just wonderfully preserved, and unique - they have a shape we've only seen in Neanderthals.'

Combined, the two collections of Homo naledi fossils give science its most complete record of a hominin species other than modern humans and Neanderthals.

Dr Hawks said: 'With the new fossils from the Lesedi Chamber, we now have approximately 2,000 specimens of Homo naledi, representing the skeletons of at least 18 individuals.

'There are more Homo naledi specimens than any other extinct species or population of hominins except for Neanderthals.' 

The idea that Homo naledi collected their dead in underground chambers echos a similar system seen in Neanderthals.

In a deep Spanish cave known as Sima de los Huesos, there is evidence that Neanderthals also collected the bodies of the dead around 400,000 years ago.

H. naledi's overall body plan is illustrated right and  how it compares to Homo species such as H. erectus (centre) and australopithecines such as Lucy (far left)

H. naledi's overall body plan is illustrated right and how it compares to Homo species such as H. erectus (centre) and australopithecines such as Lucy (far left)

Dr Hawks added: 'What is so provacative about Homo naledi is that these are creatures with brains one third the size of ours.

'This is clearly not a human, yet it seems to share a very deep aspect of behaviour that we recognize, an enduring care for other individuals that continues after their deaths.

'It awes me that we may be seeing the deepest roots of human cultural practices.' 

The Rising Star cave system is difficult to get to and requires some very tight squeezes. Pictured are two researchers in the cave

The Rising Star cave system is difficult to get to and requires some very tight squeezes. Pictured are two researchers in the cave

Researchers, including Dr John Hawkes (pictured), have reconstructed the skull of Neo, providing a much more complete portrait of Homo naledi

Researchers, including Dr John Hawkes (pictured), have reconstructed the skull of Neo, providing a much more complete portrait of Homo naledi

DISCOVERING THE HOMO NALEDI 

South Africa Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, left, shakes hand with Steven Tucker, right, by Lee Berger, from the University of the Witwatersrand

South Africa Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, left, shakes hand with Steven Tucker, right, by Lee Berger, from the University of the Witwatersrand

Jagged rocks hooked into Steven Tucker's overalls as he squeezed through a crack deep in a subterranean cave.

Upon emerging at the other end, he saw he was in a chamber dripping with stalactites.

Then his headlamp shone onto a bone.

Then more bones, and half of a skull.

It was the night of September 13, 2013, and Tucker and his caving partner had just discovered the remains of what scientists would later determine to be a new member of the human family tree.

Tucker was only trying to get out of fellow caver Rick Hunter's way, inching to the side, on a different intended route when he stepped into the crack in the network of caves known as Rising Star.

He'd heard of the crack before, but despite having been down this cave more than 20 times before, he had never noticed it, nor known of any other caver who had ventured down it.

He shone his headlamp down the dark crevice, and couldn't see where it ended.

The discovery came about thanks to a tip-off from cavers two years ago, who had glimpsed what looked like human remains through a crack in a limestone wall (fossil site marked far right)

The discovery came about thanks to a tip-off from cavers two years ago, who had glimpsed what looked like human remains through a crack in a limestone wall (fossil site marked far right)

He knew of at least one other caver who also stared down the crack, and decided it was too dangerous. He began to lower himself, feet-first, into the narrow vertical opening.

'It's exciting to find something new,' Tucker, now 27, told The Associated Press, trying to explain why he took the risk.

Tucker, just wiry enough to fit, followed the crack deeper into the earth for nearly 13 yards (12 metres).

'Underground astronaut' Marina Elliott is pictured working in a tight area of the Rising Star cave located outside of Johannesburg, South Africa

'Underground astronaut' Marina Elliott is pictured working in a tight area of the Rising Star cave located outside of Johannesburg, South Africa

'It's 7 inches (18cm) wide, with these jagged rocks, sticking into you from all sides. And suddenly at the bottom, it opens up into a large chamber with really stunning stalactites hanging from the ceiling,' Tucker said, hunching his shoulders and jutting his elbows out as he re-enacted the descent.

The 50,000-hectare (123,550-acre) area of hilly grasslands where the two were spelunking is recognized as the Cradle of Humankind, featuring a network of caves that has yielded nearly 40 percent of known hominid fossils, according to the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.

But the bones in this particular chamber had apparently remained undiscovered until Tucker entered it.

Inside what is now known as the Dinaledi chamber, Tucker's headlamp illuminated pure white rock formations.

Tucker and Hunter, who also braved the narrow chute, were excited to find new caving terrain. Then they saw the bones scattered on the chamber floor.

'You could see half of a skull sticking out of the floor,' Tucker said.

'Of course, at that time we had no idea what we had found. ... What interested us at first was the fact that these were quite large bones. How does something that has no lights, no protective equipment like we had get in here?'

An almost complete mandible told the cavers that they had found something almost human.

Their camera battery had died so a week later they made their way through the cave again, and photographed their find.

They sent the photos to geologist Pedro Boshoff, who alerted paleontologist Lee Berger, who went onto become the lead paleontologist on the discovery of Homo naledi. It was only when the cavers saw Berger's excitement that they realized just how big their discovery was.

At the press conference announcing the discovery of Homo naledi, a potential new member of the human family tree, Tucker was joined by other cavers who volunteered on the excavation for nearly two years. Berger called them 'underground astronauts.' 

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