Scientists have discovered fossils of a new human ancestor (Homo Naledi) in Rising Star cave outside of Johannesburg, South Africa.
The new hominin species was announced on Thursday by an international team of more than 60 scientists led by Lee R. Berger, an American paleoanthropologist who is a professor of human evolution studies at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
At least 15 skeletons of the species were found hidden deep in a cave dubbed the ‘Star Chamber’ in which is thought to be the earliest form of ritual burial ever discovered. The early humans stood just five foot tall and weighed 100 pounds. Their hips were similar to our earliest ancestor (Hominid Lucy), but their shoulders were well designed for climbing but legs and feet were human like. Their skulls are like early humans, but their brains are tiny, just the size of an orange. Watch the video below.
via: National Geographic