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| Artistic rendition of Homo naledi (Image Source: National Geographic) |
The subfield of physical anthropology is one of the most diverse of the anthropological subfields, but one division of that subfield is getting quite a bit of notice as of late. In the past few years several new discoveries of hominids have brought a great deal of attention to physical anthropology and paleoanthropologists, as well as caused a shift and reanalysis in our current understanding of our ancient human origins. The most recent announced discovery of Homo naledi is the topic of today's blog post, which will discuss what this hominid species means for our current understanding of both human biological and cultural evolution.
The discovery of Homo naledi is actually due to two adventurers, Steven Tucker and Rick Hunter, who in 2013 were exploring the Star cave system in South Africa. They had heard that there was potential for great discoveries to be found in those caves. Their explorations led them to a very narrow crevice that seemed to have been unexplored. The two men, who were lithe in build, were able to squeeze through the crevice, which led to the discovery of bones on the cave floor. The men thought they had discovered a recent burial, and they brought this find to the attention of local paleoanthropologist, Dr. Lee Berger. Berger had previously discovered Australopithecus sediba. He realized that there were more to the bones than what the two novice explorers had believed, but he also recognized that he could not explore the cave himself. So he put out a call on Facebook seeking small bodied individuals with extensive knowledge of physical anthropology and paleontology, tolerance of being in small and confined places for extended periods of time, etc. Surprisingly enough, he got over fifty applications but ultimately chose a select few-all women-to join his excavation team.
This team worked over two field seasons and collected over 1500 skeletal elements that represent at least 15 individuals, ranging in age from infancy to adulthood. This discovery was thoroughly analyzed by Berger, the excavation team, and several other scholars, and they all reached the same conclusion: these remains belonged to a whole new and unknown species of hominid. The species was named Homo naledi, receiving its namesake from the caves that yielded their discovery. This species exhibits diagnostic traits found in both Australopithecine and Homo species. A break down can be found in Table 1. Despite sharing traits with species found in both genera Homo naledi was ultimately classified in the Homo genus due to its systems of locomotion, mastication, and manipulation being so closely related to the Homo species. Ultimately, this decision is not without heated debate, primarily due to a lack of date associated with this species. A date cannot be determined at this time because the sediments found in situ (in association) with the skeletal remains are unable to be dated as the best dating techniques require volcanic rock, which was not present.
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| Table 1: Traits of Homo naledi (Similarities by Genus) |
Also under debate is the cultural assertions that Berger has made. Berger claims that the species were found in such a pristine and complete condition that they must have been intentionally left there. Further analysis of the remains seems to support this notion as the remains do not exhibit predator marks, which would be suggestive of these individuals having been killed and dragged away. Berger, who currently believes that the physiological evidence of the species puts them at existing as early as 3 million years ago,believes that Homo naledi would be the earliest species to practice intentional burials. Again, no definitive date can be assessed at this time, and some scholars believe that this species can be as young as 100,000 years old, which would make it contemporaneous with other hominid species that intentionally buried their dead. At the present time, it is unclear if the species did indeed intentionally bury their dead and if this is the first incidence or further evidence of a systematic trend among hominid species.
Ultimately, the discovery of Homo naledi enhances our current understanding of hominid evolution and human origins. As suggested by Berger hominid evolution may not be similar to a tree branch in the sense that a linear progression of species gave rise to the next generation of species that ultimately led to Homo sapiens. Instead hominid evolution was more similar to a braid, which is where multiple species interbred and different traits were selected for, ultimately producing Homo sapiens. This idea is supportable regardless if this species is 3 million or 100,000 years old. As well, the discovery of Homo naledi demonstrates that there is more yet to be discovered in regards to hominid evolution, and that there remains many questions and hopefully someday the answers.
Bibliography
Bascomb, B.
2015. “Archaeology’s Disputed
Genius”. Nova Next. Website: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/next/evolution/lee-berger/
Berger et al.
2015. “Homo naledi, a new species of the genus Homo from the Dinaledi Chamber, South Africa.” eLife 4:
1-35. Website Accessible: http://elifesciences.org/content/4/e09560
Keep, S. 2015. “Is There Anything Truly Surprising About Homo naledi?” Understanding Evolution: http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/news/151009_homonaledi
Shreeve, J.
2015. “This Face Changes the
Human Story. But How?” National Geographic Magazine. Website
Accessible: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/09/150910-human-evolution-change/
37 comments:
This was an amazing article. I do tend to agree with Berger's view on Homo Naledi possible being the first Homo species to have intentional burial. I would like to expand on that theory to include the possibility of this new species possibly being the first cave dwellers? At the same time it is extremely intriguing that they showed no evidence of predator marks and the bodies almost seem to be placed. Further more, isn't there another geological way to date the remains buy using the cave walls and sediment levels surrounding the bodies? Very intriguing article.
Jean Beaubriand
Anthro 101
The prevailing idea among Berger and his team is that the cave was not so much a dwelling as a burial ground. This is supported by the lack of material remains found in the cave related to these individuals. As well, at this time there are no reliable means of dating these bodies, which leads to part of the debate about the timeline of this species.
The implications of evolution are truly fascinating. I am curious to learn about additional research taking place at the location of this discovery. This is a remarkable discovery although very frustrating that there is not a way to accurately date the discovered remains. Obciously these remains were not previously disturbed which makes me wonder if the idea that this could had been a family or small community is being considered? Very interesting, thank you for sharing.
-Jeremy Murphy
Anthro 101
I know Berger et al. have some ideas pertaining to your question, but without a definitive date of the remains it is difficult to say, in my humble opinion. You can, however, read the original article as it is cited in the references: Berget et al. 2015.
What interests me is the variety of traits found in these bones. I read an article about this in Scientific American just this weekend. The shoulders, for instance, are well suited to climbing and the fingers are curved for that purpose as well, the wrist and palm look more modern and seem well adapted to manipulate tools. The head of the femur also looks as if it came from an earlier hominin with its long neck and small head more like an australopithecine's. The list is quite long and interesting. I just find this to be so exciting!
Dr. Berger asserts, in this article, that fragments of skeletons are not enough to categorize hominin fossils given the recent discoveries of these two species who both exhibit a mix of traits. There is, apparently quite the debate surrounding this find and Dr. Berger's opinions on this issue.
The idea of the bodies being taken to that spot in the cave also begs the question of fire as caves are completely dark when you get this far in. It was a terrible lot of trouble if the bodies were indeed placed there. Squeezing through one area that is ten inches high and another just 8 inches across would give anyone the willies! Imagine doing this while dragging a dead body behind you!
Wonderful read.
This article was a very interesting read. In the discovery of Homo naledi it was very interesting to me that the paleoanthropologist Dr. Lee Beger chose a handful of experienced women (all women crew) to help with the exploration of the star caves. Although this was due in part to women smaller stature and ability to get around the cave easier I also feel that their skill and experience is why they received the jobs. What is even more interesting is he searched for these people via Facebook.
I also found it very interesting that they found fifteen full skeletons. Was this a group that traveled together like a tribe would or was this a family that once resided in the cave. Berger also suggests it might be a burial site but I wonder what would lead someone to believe this is a burial site verse a natural shelter that these hominid’s lived in.
Shannon Carroll
Anth 101
It still amazes me how much we can discover through bones or bone placement. The fact that Homo naledi is thought to be the first to exhibit burial ritual for their dead is amazing. Even the thought that they discovered 1500 skeletal elements is astounding. That the bones stayed preserved enough to still discover them. I enjoy the thought of them all being together like we do in cemeteries.
Leslie Milton
Anthropology 101
Course 3001
It amazes me how scientists find new species of hominids. I remember back in high school, I was taught about a hominin that was in Lucy's class. It was named after the Beatles "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds"
I agree with Shannon, it is crazy how he found his team via social media! I wonder if they had lived in those same caves primarily but migrated to different caves and left the diseased or if they really did create some sort of grave for them.
I love how Dr. Berger went on to Facebook to look for tiny anthropologists. I wonder how many ancient caves we haven't been able to get into, and how many groundbreaking specimens we have yet to uncover. I am also perplexed by the amount of information we can gather by fossils alone.
The implications of this species being the first to practice burying their dead intrigues me. I have seen many animals bury their dead offspring, so I do believe it is instinctual to give back to the circle of life. However, knowing that burying dead today is emotional and difficult, this leads me to believe the Homo naledi could have buried their dead out of respect, with emotions involved as well. Great to see where we came from!
New species! That's so cool! He squeezed through little cave only to discover a new species Homo nealdi, woe. It fascinates me that these species are 100,000 years young, also that bodies discovered in caves can be in pristine condition enough for anthropologist to track the years and such!
I would like to travel around the world looking for new evidence of our ancestors or any other thing. Homo Nealni were probably a whole family living in that cave. This discovery is good for us to study how we have been evolving from our ancestors in the past. Their skin and muscles probably were more resisting than our body today.
I think the fleshing out of our human ancestry has to be one of the most interesting scientific pursuits. It is so interesting to see the possible origins of one of the most universal aspects of human culture, the intentional burying of the dead. Knowing how our species evolved into the exact combination of genes that produced homo sapiens is incredibly fascinating.
Claire Jennings-Bledsoe
It's amazing how he picked all women to help with his discoveries, not man man will do that. It would be nice to travel and help to look for more bones and new discoveries about that past.
Aaliyah Caldwell
This is pretty cool because I didn’t know we had made any recent discoveries and the story how they found him is so cool to because its just like an adventure story where they hear legends about a cave and find well, an awesome discovery
This article is somehow amazing,and it is good that he put out on Facebook for people to know how he discover the bones on the cave floor.
That's pretty cool that no matter who you are you can always make a significant archaeological discovery. And I respect him for putting together an all female team to help him.
The study was conducted by all women which seems to be almost unheard of in a "mans" world. I see it as a large step for men and women in this industry that will allow them to move further in the field. Finding the remains of our separate ancestry makes you wonder about where you came from.
I don't knock the fact that it was a female team. To me it doesn't matter male or female, greatness is greatness and that's exactly what was being sought. To determine the historical relationship between Australopithecine and Homo is not as far as we'd imagine is a great discovery and a big step in the Archaeology discipline.
I understand where you are coming from, but the all female team, while done out of necessity, is still very important because females (even today) are pushed out of physical anthropology for various reasons. The large presence of female anthropologists on this team is great for current and future female anthropologists working in the field.
i always wondered, how do anthropologist know if these are ancestors of humans? maybe this one but for example, the Australopithecus sediba that Dr. Lee Berger, what if theres are just ancestors of the modern ape.
Good question, Quincy. This is a risk in paleoanthropology, hence why scholars provide evidence based on the form, shape, and structure of the remains to demonstrate having a more close relationship with humans than apes. We actually have ancestral primate skeletons, as well, which can be used as a comparative sample.
My question is in the anthropology field of study is there an increase of females on the rise. I believe there should be. I understand in the past that there were probably more males in the field of study however with this case Im glad that the research group allowed it to be all women to prove that they can do the jobs men do in a equal manner or even better.
There does seem to be an increase in the number of women pursuing anthropology, but it is a different matter regarding if and where they get hired or whether or not they stay in the discipline. Women face different challenges than men (to name a few, pregnancy/child rearing, sexual harassment, social pressures, etc.) so those are factors that affect women and their ability to get employment in the field. But you are correct: we are just as capable (if not more so in certain situations) than men. :)
Is it not possible that the remains found in the cave could be from individuals that ventured into the cave and were just unable to find their way out before starving to death or being infected by some organism that is only present in the cave?
That is one of my biggest qualms with anthropology and all science alike (not saying I disagree about human origin). I feel as though there are times when we place too much confidence in our reasoning for an occurrence. I am a big bird watcher and there is a common joke that can be made about our ability to identify a bird.. 'You can witness any bird in the world in the tree in front of you, if you really really want to.'
This could very well be what happened, but given the stringent peer-review process and the five years of analyses conducted on these remains I suspect that the authors have provided adequate evidence to support their claims.
Jovie Black
Anthropologists are a group of intelligent people. How they find bones, and somehow put together what they looked like, what they ate, etc. Finding new species should always be exciting.
Evolution is something that I wouldn't have a problem learning more about and talking about all day. This is just a touchy subject because it goes back and forth with religion.
I;ve heard about Homo naledi before. Would you comsider this to close to a human as well? It's interesting on how these bones can be found from so long ago and be identified.
-Daisha Benton
so what happens with the 1500 skeletal elements of the 15 different mixed up infancy and adults.Are they published in museums? -Alexander Taylor
These remains, much like those of all paleoanthropological material, is housed in institutional collections that are not on public display. They're often too fragile to be shown publicly.
As I’ve learned this in Antheopology, it still shocks me that they can pin point about how many years ago skeletal remains were dated back too. My question would be , after reading all this, are they considered to be the start of human evolution ? Or just a new found hominid ?
-Jazlyn Logan
Jazlyn, you should be able to answer this question yourself. You had to do something to this effect for your second assignment in class, and as I recall you demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of the concepts. Think back to what you wrote there and your answer should come to you. :)
This article was very interesting. I think its cool that Berger got so many women to help him in retrieving the rest of those bones.Its a shame he couldnt get in the cave himself for the experience.
-Jasmine Busby
My name is Aleisha watts, and when I read this it sounds as if they found a family of remains in the cave, but I don't like that they cant date it back to a specific time but other than that this post was interesting to read about. It makes me want to know more about this now because I feel like it's something to research. The fact that people trace certain skeletal remains to a specific species from so far back is too interesting and worth searching. I think it kinda cool when people discover new bones and they make up full bodies because you never know what kind of species you will find. This just makes me wonder how many more caves we don't know about that for sure could have bones and traces of human and animal remains from far back. The fact that people go out searching for new discoveries, bring so much excitement to me because it's kinda cool to be able to do something so intense.
Its just crazy that it took so long to find these remains. From what I known this was found by accident. They were in the cave, but found the shaft leading down. Small head, primitive facial features, and short? Sounds familiar to the Homo erectus.
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