Homo naledi is an extinct species of archaic human discovered in 2013 in the Rising Star Cave, Cradle of Humankind, South Africa.
The same underground chamber has now been found to have housed controlled fires, thought to be lit and fed by the ancient hominins. The finds were announced by paleoanthropologist Lee Berger of the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
It was Berger and his team who were the first to discover this species in 2013. Berger stated that “signs of fire use are everywhere in this cave system. We are fairly confident to formulate the hypothesis that this small-brained hominid, Homo naledi , that existed at the same time we believe Homo sapiens were sharing parts of Africa, was using fire for a variety of purposes.”
The Homo naledi specimens are estimated to have, on average, stood around 4 Ft. 9 in and weighed 90 lb. This body mass is intermediate between what is typically seen in Australopithecus and Homo species.
Ron S
If Berger is eventually crowned King of archeologists and his research leads us to his discovery on how ancient Hominid used fire to flame broil burgers…I’m just done… On top of that I think I owe Merkle a digital beer for his “We’re living in a simulated reality” theory.
Sadaya A
I’ve heard that this isn’t even the biggest discovery he and his team have come across in the rising star cave. Excited to see what else they bring in to the light!
John A
Brilliant anthropologist
Charles R
Of all the animal species in the North American Forest, the only one that does not seem to be afaid of a fire, at least a camp fire, is the Sasquatch.
Maynard w
I found something interesting, maybe, in a speech put out by The Leakey Foundation, talking about H. naledi. Starting around the 48:40 mark is what I’m referencing. https://youtu.be/KNwY_C7wOzY
Ed A
Where are the tools, and debitage?