New human-like species found

Anthropologists have discovered a new human-like species – Homo naledi – in the Rising Cave system in South Africa.

An international research team led by the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa retrieved more than 1,500 fossils, belonging to at least 15 Homo naledi individuals, which show similar features to early hominids.

“This discovery is unprecedented in the sheer number of hominins collected from such a small area in the virtual absence of other animal remains. That makes this site unique. Moreover, the announcement describes only the tip of the iceberg of analyses that will come, and we hope that is also true of the cave itself and the material that it still holds,” said research associate Dr Scott Williams.

The findings, published in two papers in the journal eLife, suggest that Homo naledi has similar features – a human-like face, feet and hands but with a short, ape-like torso and a very small brain – to other early hominids.

“Overall, Homo naledi looks like one of the most primitive members of our genus, but it also has some surprisingly human-like features, enough to warrant placing it in the genus Homo. Homo naledi had a tiny brain, about the size of an average orange (about 500cm³), perched atop a very slender body,” said Dr John Hawks who took part in the research.

The scientists estimated that the new species was approximately 1.5m tall and weighed 45 kg. They suggest that its teeth and most features of the skull are similar to those of the earliest-known members of our genus – the Homo habilis. The anthropologists also suggest that the hands of Homo naledi show tool-using capabilities and their curved fingers – more curved than almost any other species of early hominin – demonstrate climbing capabilities.

In contrast, the team found that the feet of the newly discovered human relative are virtually indistinguishable from those of modern humans. They believe its feet, combined with long legs, were well-suited for long-distance walking.

Next, the scientists will date the age of Homo naledi.

Papers: http://elifesciences.org/content/4/e09561 ; http://elifesciences.org/content/4/e09560

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