Several historical discoveries intrigue researchers because of the complexity of the explanation theories. While there are many different species of animals to study, our own ancestors are always one of the most interesting.
Though we’ve learned a lot about species that lived before humans, a new study may reveal something very strange. We are talking about research based on cave finds in South Africa on Homo naledi, an ancient hominid primate with traits similar to modern humans.
Discovery reveals something unexpected about human ancestors
Photo Credit: John Hawks/Wits University/Reproduction
Research published on June 5 found that finds of Homo naledi in a cave suggest that this species has already made burials, which is only to be expected in groups with larger brains, such as the most modern ones, such as Homo sapiens and Neanderthals .
One of the study’s authors, John Hawks, said the evidence seemed to contradict everything we know about the link between behavioral development and brain size. In addition, the species may still have been the first to use symbologies.
The discovery of bones and cultural signs
Fossils show that Homo naledi lived in caves between 335,000 and 240,000 years ago and had a structure weighing about 100 kg and only 1.5 meters high.
In addition, the site contained about 1,500 pieces of bone, which were used to reconstruct a complete skeleton of the species and a few other incomplete skeletons.
What shocked the researchers was the fact that so many fossils were collected in one place. Therefore, some assumptions have been made that indicate that a flood could have brought the parts to the site. But there is also the possibility that paleontologists have found the oldest known burial site.
Has Homo naledi already performed burials?
This idea came about when paleontologists analyzed some holes that they believe were created intentionally. A fossil was found in one of them and used for analysis, which revealed that all the bones belonged to the same creature. That means the person would have been accommodated on site.
In addition, some symbols were found on rocks in the chambers that made up the cave. The drawing resembles a “hashtag” created with a tool.
Interestingly, this pattern is not usually accidental and has also been found thousands of miles away in Neanderthalrelated finds.