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Just saw an article on this on facebook:
Abstract
Homo naledi is a previously-unknown species of extinct hominin discovered within the Dinaledi Chamber of the Rising Star cave system, Cradle of Humankind, South Africa. This species is characterized by body mass and stature similar to small-bodied human populations but a small endocranial volume similar to australopiths. Cranial morphology of H. naledi is unique, but most similar to early Homo species including Homo erectus, Homo habilis or Homo rudolfensis. While primitive, the dentition is generally small and simple in occlusal morphology. H. naledi has humanlike manipulatory adaptations of the hand and wrist. It also exhibits a humanlike foot and lower limb. These humanlike aspects are contrasted in the postcrania with a more primitive or australopith-like trunk, shoulder, pelvis and proximal femur. Representing at least 15 individuals with most skeletal elements repeated multiple times, this is the largest assemblage of a single species of hominins yet discovered in Africa.
Full article here: http://elifesciences.org/content/4/e09560
Related article titled: Geological and taphonomic context for the new hominin species Homo naledi from the Dinaledi Chamber, South Africa : http://elifesciences.org/content/4/e09561
Estimated age of the bones is between 2 and 3 million years, and all of the remains were found in a single 'burial' chamber, according to the IFL article I read. This apparently represents the only known occurrence of a species other than our own deliberately and repeatedly burying its dead in a protected area, away from the external environment.
Article from IFL: http://www.iflscience.com/editors-blog/newly-discovered-human-ancestor-likely-ritualistically-disposed-its-dead
NY Times Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/11/s...-species-human-ancestor-homo-naledi.html?_r=0
Short video from Professor Lee Berger explaining some basics of the species:
Abstract
Homo naledi is a previously-unknown species of extinct hominin discovered within the Dinaledi Chamber of the Rising Star cave system, Cradle of Humankind, South Africa. This species is characterized by body mass and stature similar to small-bodied human populations but a small endocranial volume similar to australopiths. Cranial morphology of H. naledi is unique, but most similar to early Homo species including Homo erectus, Homo habilis or Homo rudolfensis. While primitive, the dentition is generally small and simple in occlusal morphology. H. naledi has humanlike manipulatory adaptations of the hand and wrist. It also exhibits a humanlike foot and lower limb. These humanlike aspects are contrasted in the postcrania with a more primitive or australopith-like trunk, shoulder, pelvis and proximal femur. Representing at least 15 individuals with most skeletal elements repeated multiple times, this is the largest assemblage of a single species of hominins yet discovered in Africa.
Full article here: http://elifesciences.org/content/4/e09560
Related article titled: Geological and taphonomic context for the new hominin species Homo naledi from the Dinaledi Chamber, South Africa : http://elifesciences.org/content/4/e09561
Estimated age of the bones is between 2 and 3 million years, and all of the remains were found in a single 'burial' chamber, according to the IFL article I read. This apparently represents the only known occurrence of a species other than our own deliberately and repeatedly burying its dead in a protected area, away from the external environment.
Article from IFL: http://www.iflscience.com/editors-blog/newly-discovered-human-ancestor-likely-ritualistically-disposed-its-dead
NY Times Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/11/s...-species-human-ancestor-homo-naledi.html?_r=0
Short video from Professor Lee Berger explaining some basics of the species:
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