335,000-year-old fossil overturns human evolution theory

The age of Homo naledi fossils found in South Africa and their corpse-collecting behavior could overturn scientific understanding of evolution.

The research team found the 335,000-year-old fossil of Homo naledi. Photo: New Scientist.

Archaeologists have discovered the fossils of at least three small-brained Homo naledi in a cave in South Africa. The fossils are believed to be very young, and could be the first evidence that a primitive Homo naledi existed at the same time as modern humans, according to New Scientist.

Using dating techniques, the team found that Homo naledi lived in Africa between 236,000 and 335,000 years ago. The oldest fossils of modern humans (Homo sapiens) found are about 200,000 years old. This suggests that these two primitive human species may have coexisted. This is the first time that one of these ancient human species has been found to be related to modern humans in Africa.

The study of the hand structure of Homo naledi reveals that they were able to make tools. The dating also raises questions about Homo sapiens’ ability to make tools, potentially rewriting the evolutionary history of our ancestors. The new fossil analysis suggests that Homo naledi and Homo sapiens may have exchanged tools and cultural activities.

The archaeologists also discovered new fossils that prove Homo naledi buried their dead. This is a surprising behavior, suggesting that this species may have possessed intelligence. Interestingly, Homo naledi had a brain only one-third the size of a human. These fossils belong to at least three individuals, two adults and one child.

Homo naledi brain (right) compared to Homo sapiens brain. Photo: John Hopkins University.

Homo naledi's practice of burying their dead in underground burrows is similar to that of Neanderthals. In a cave in Spain, there is evidence that Neanderthals also collected dead bodies 400,000 years ago.

According to VNE