Homo Naledi: 10 Controversial Facts About Our Ancient Cousin

The discovery of Homo naledi in 2013 sent shockwaves through the scientific community. This ancient human relative, found deep within South Africa’s Rising Star Cave, challenged long-held beliefs about human evolution. With a bizarre mix of primitive and modern traits, Homo naledi has sparked debates about intelligence, burial practices, and even the timeline of human ancestry.

Here are 10 controversial facts about Homo naledi that continue to puzzle researchers.

Table of Contents

1. A Bizarre Mix of Ancient and Modern Traits
2. The Mysterious “Dark Zone” Discovery
3. Did Homo Naledi Bury Their Dead?
4. A Surprisingly Recent Existence
5. Small Brains, Complex Behavior?
6. The Controversial Dating Methods
7. Possible Tool Use
8. A New Branch on the Human Family Tree?
9. The Debate Over Their Intelligence
10. Why Did They Go Extinct? Frequently Asked Questions

1. A Bizarre Mix of Ancient and Modern Traits

Homo naledi had a puzzling combination of features—some resembling early hominins like Australopithecus and others similar to modern humans.

• Primitive Traits:
  • Small brain (about the size of an orange)
  • Curved fingers, suggesting tree-climbing abilities
  • Ape-like shoulders
• Modern Traits:
  • Human-like feet adapted for walking long distances
  • Hands capable of tool use
  • Teeth similar to early Homo species