***Homo naledi was named after the Rising Star cave - naledi means ‘star’ in Sesotho, a South African language.****
Homo naledi, possessed an unusual mix of features, such as feet adapted for a life on the ground but hands suited for a life in the trees.
The early humans had lived in the remote ‘Rising Star’ cave around 50km from Johannesburg, South Africa.
The fossils could have been there 2 million years ago or 100,000 years ago, possibly coexisting with modern humans. But the date is not net decided.
1,550 fossil elements excavated from the cave are believed to be parts of at least 15 infants, children, adults and elderly of the same species.
Homo naledi stood approximately 5 feet (1.5 m) tall and weighed about 45 kg. Its teeth are described as similar to those of the earliest-known members of our genus, such as Homo habilis, as are most features of the skull. The shoulders, however, are more similar to those of apes.
The find was announced by the University of the Witwatersrand, the National Geographic Society and the South African National Research Foundation.
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