Scientists in South Africa have made a groundbreaking discovery that challenges our understanding of human evolution. Led by American paleoanthropologist Lee Berger, a group of young scientists have found gravesites of small-brained hominids in the Rising Star cave system near Johannesburg. These gravesites date back between 236,000 and 335,000 years, making them much older than the first known human graves in Israel.
Until now, paleoarchaeologists believed that larger brains led to more complex thought in our ancestors, allowing for advancements like language development and burying the dead. However, this new discovery of small-brained hominids, known as Homo naledi, suggests that this conventional wisdom may need to be reevaluated.
Berger and his team first discovered Homo naledi in 2015 and have since been exploring the cave system for further clues about this new human relative. They recently made the remarkable finding that Homo naledi not only used fire but also deliberately buried their dead, marking their graves with artwork on the cave walls.
This discovery has raised many questions for Berger and his team. How did Homo naledi navigate the treacherous cave system? Were they just lost, or did they intentionally seek out these deep chambers? And why were the bodies found only in these specific spaces?
To find answers, the team set up a sophisticated system of cameras and intercoms to communicate with the cavers in real time. Berger, determined to experience the caves himself, even lost 55 pounds to fit through the narrow passages. It was a challenging endeavor, but when he saw the evidence of fire all around him, he knew it was worth it.
The discovery of Homo naledi graves also involved finding symbols on the cave walls, including hashtag-like signs that may have been used to mark the graves. In one grave, a tool-shaped rock was also found. These findings, along with fossilized bones from at least 27 Homo naledi individuals, ranging from 240,000 to 500,000 years old, are currently being reviewed for publication.
Berger acknowledged that some may accuse his team of rushing to publish their research before peer review. However, he believes that in today’s age of technology and social media, making their findings available immediately allows for collaboration and further exploration by future scientists.
Ultimately, these discoveries challenge our perception of what it means to be human. If Homo naledi, with their small brains, were capable of complex thought, it forces us to reconsider the pedestal on which we have placed ourselves. Berger believes that this finding will push us to define what truly makes us human.
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