According to Live Science, the hypothesis that Homo naledi practiced burial rituals was first proposed in a 2017 study and sparked considerable debate.
After five years of work and additional data collection, project leader and paleontologist Lee Berger announced that they have just published three new studies online on June 5, providing solid evidence for the astonishing developments of this hominin species, described as being similar to australopithecines.
Two ancient graves just discovered – (Photo: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC).
Homo naledi is one of the most intriguing and controversial hominin species for archaeologists. Rising Star is the cave system that provided humanity with their remains, dating back up to 300,000 years.
More than 1,500 skeletal fragments from various Homo naledi individuals have helped reconstruct an average height of 1.5 meters and a face with many ape-like features. They had brains only one-third the size of ours, yet they were complex and possessed dexterous hands.
A synthesis of anatomical features and other evidence led researchers to speculate that Homo naledi, while skilled in tool use, had much lower technical and social organization than our species, Homo sapiens, or other closely related hominins.
The discovery of two ancient graves could change everything. These are two shallow, oval burial pits carved into the floor of a chamber in the cave, indicative of intentional actions to inter bodies.
One of the burial pits still contained remnants of a ceremonial offering, with an artifact found near the hand and wrist bones, believed to be a burial item.
Moreover, scientists also discovered significant engravings on stone directly above the two ancient graves. “We feel that they have met the criteria for human burial practices”, Dr. Berger stated.
These burial pits date back an astonishing 100,000 years.
Excavation process of the special graves – (Photo: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC).
The new studies are still under peer review. If they pass this final hurdle, they could push back the earliest evidence of human burial practices, stripping Homo sapiens of their record and handing it over to the ancient sibling, Homo naledi.
Regardless of the outcome, this data confirms that our species may never have left Africa, exhibiting more complex behaviors than previously thought, including the ability to organize a culturally rich society.
