naledi

Homo naledi is an extinct species of the genus Homo that was described in 2015 after the discovery of a large fossil collection in the Dinaledi Chamber of the Rising Star Cave system, near the Cradle of Humankind, South Africa. The specific epithet naledi comes from the Sesotho word for star, and the name is often interpreted as “star man” in reference to the cave discovery.

Discovery and remains

The Dinaledi Chamber yielded about 1,550 fossil elements representing at least 15 individuals. The fossils were uncovered by a team led by Lee Berger and colleagues, with excavations conducted between 2013 and 2014. Dating methods using luminescence and related techniques indicate an age range of roughly 236,000 to 335,000 years ago. The site’s preservation and the combination of many individuals in a single chamber are among the key features of this discovery.

Morphology and phylogeny

Homo naledi displays a mosaic of primitive and modern traits. The brain size is small for the genus Homo, with an estimated cranial capacity around 450–600 cubic centimeters. The skeleton shows a blend of features: dental and facial characteristics that are somewhat primitive, but wrist and hand anatomy, as well as aspects of limb proportions, reflect a more derived, Homo-like pattern. The feet and lower limbs indicate habitual bipedal walking, while curved fingers suggest continued climbing ability. This combination has made the species an important datapoint in discussions of human evolution and variability within the Homo lineage.

Significance and debate

The discovery expanded understanding of the diversity and timeline of early Homo in Africa. It highlighted that multiple hominin lineages coexisted and that fossil assemblages can preserve unexpected morphological variation. Debates continue regarding behavior and cognition, including whether the deposit represents deliberate body disposal or a natural accumulation, and how H. naledi relates to other late middle Pleistocene hominins.