Scientists discover fossils from
extinct, ancient ancestor of modern
humans
By Washington Post, adapted by Newsela staff on 09.16.15
Word Count 831
A composite skeleton of Homo naledi surrounded by some of the hundreds of other fossil elements
displayed in Magaliesburg, South Africa, Sept. 10, 2015. Photo: AP Photo/Themba Hadebe
The two men were amateur cavers who enjoyed the challenge of burrowing
through dark and possibly dangerous caves. This time their route proved
particularly difficult. They were exploring one of a group of caves in South Africa
known as Rising Star. Their goal was an unexplored chamber deep
underground.
Most people believed the cave had already given up most of its treasures years
ago. Still, American scientist Lee Berger had asked the men to keep their eyes
open for ancient remains.
Almost Human, But Not Quite
The men had to feel their way along the cave's winding passages, then crawl on
their stomachs through an opening less than 10 inches high. Next, they had to
ascend a jagged wall, cross a narrow ledge known as the "Dragon's Back," then
make a 400-foot descent, sideways, through a vertical crack. Finally they arrived
at the prize: a 30-foot-long chamber probably between 2 million and 3 million
years old.
What they found that day in September 2013 nearly took their breath away. The
chamber they entered contained more than 1,500 bones and teeth buried in
ancient clay. The remains looked almost human, but clearly were not.
Berger then arranged for a further month of excavation and two years of careful
study. On Thursday he made a dramatic announcement: The fragments the two
men found belong to a previously unknown species of human relative, which
has been named Homo naledi. "Naledi" means "star" in Sesotho, a local South
African language.
Now "Best-Known" Human Ancestor
"It was soon apparent that what I thought was an individual skeleton was dozens
of individuals," Berger said. The fact that different examples of every bone in the
body were found gives scientists a very clear idea of what the species looked
like. Homo naledi is "already practically the best-known" ancestor of today's
humans, he said.
Berger and his fellow scientists say Homo naledi may be one of the most
primitive members of the genus Homo, which includes today's humans.
The pieces that were discovered in the chamber belonged to at least 15
individuals of the same species, including men, women, children and infants.
Perhaps more remarkable, all of them appeared to have been intentionally
placed there after death. The bodies seem to have been ritualistically or
ceremonially disposed of, which is not something scientists would expect to see
with such a primitive species.
"None Of Us Expected It"
"It's enormously surprising to see a very primitive member of the genus, not very
humanlike overall, to do something unique to humans," Berger said. "To see it in
a small-brained hominid is completely surprising — none of us expected it."
Homo naledi is an unusual combination of the primitive and the modern, the
scientists said. Its brain was no larger than a baseball, its shoulders and chest
were primitive and its fingers were long and curved, allowing it to climb and
swing from the trees. At the same time, its wrist bones indicate that it used tools.
Its long legs and feet were almost exactly the same as those of modern man.
They allowed it not only to walk upright but also to travel for many miles at a
time.
"We had never seen a creature like this before," said scientist John Hawks.
Excavation: A Dangerous Job
The remains were recovered over 21 days in November 2013 and seven days in
March 2014. The scientists soon decided they had to put together a special
team. They needed people slender enough to crawl through narrow sections of
the cave, but also experienced enough to handle the dangerous work.
The six who were eventually chosen were all women, including American
student Becca Peixotto.
"We had a lot of spectacular moments, and a few stand out," Peixotto said. A
fragment of a skull from the center of the chamber "took days to excavate," she
said. After it was finally free from the soil, it was packaged in a box just small
enough to fit through the narrow cracks of the cave. Next the team faced the
difficult task of getting the box to the surface. "It was all hands on deck," Peixotto
said. The women passed the skull box up the chute, out the slot, down the
Dragon's Back, through the crawl, up another ladder and finally out to the
surface. "There was huge cheering as it reached the light of day," she said.
Looking Back 2.5 Million Years
Berger says he is certain the remains are more than 2.5 million years old. Their
age makes Homo naledi among the earliest, if not the earliest, relative of
modern human beings, he said.
Hawks said that Homo naledi's unusual combination of features could make
scientists take a fresh look at how humans developed as a species. It "gives us
a different model for how things could fit in our own origins," he said.
Berger said the team plans on further expeditions and excavations of the
chamber.
"This chamber has not given up all its secrets," he added.
Quiz
1
2
3
4
Which sentence from the article BEST represents the central idea of the article?
(A)
Finally they arrived at the prize: a 30-foot-long chamber probably
between 2 million and 3 million years old.
(B)
Their age makes Homo naledi among the earliest, if not the earliest,
relative of modern human beings, he said.
(C)
The fact that different examples of every bone in the body were
found gives scientists a very clear idea of what the species looked
like.
(D)
Its brain was no larger than a baseball, its shoulders and chest
were primitive and its fingers were long and curved, allowing it to
climb and swing from the trees.
Which of the following sentences from the article would be MOST important to
include in a summary of the article?
(A)
Most people believed the cave had already given up most of its
treasures years ago.
(B)
The remains were recovered over 21 days in November 2013 and
seven days in March 2014.
(C)
The chamber they entered contained more than 1,500 bones and
teeth buried in ancient clay.
(D)
The six who were eventually chosen were all women, including
American student Becca Peixotto.
Based on the article, which characteristics BEST describe Berger?
(A)
satisfied and carefree
(B)
optimistic and inquisitive
(C)
intelligent and overbearing
(D)
determined and complacent
According to the article, what effect might finding the bones of Homo naledi have
on science?
(A)
It might give new insight into the origin of humans.
(B)
It might allow new developments in medical science.
(C)
It might bring new understanding of human anatomy.
(D)
It might explain why we have ceremonies to bury our dead.
Answer Key
1
2
3
4
Which sentence from the article BEST represents the central idea of the article?
(A)
Finally they arrived at the prize: a 30-foot-long chamber probably
between 2 million and 3 million years old.
(B)
Their age makes Homo naledi among the earliest, if not the
earliest, relative of modern human beings, he said.
(C)
The fact that different examples of every bone in the body were
found gives scientists a very clear idea of what the species looked
like.
(D)
Its brain was no larger than a baseball, its shoulders and chest
were primitive and its fingers were long and curved, allowing it to
climb and swing from the trees.
Which of the following sentences from the article would be MOST important to
include in a summary of the article?
(A)
Most people believed the cave had already given up most of its
treasures years ago.
(B)
The remains were recovered over 21 days in November 2013 and
seven days in March 2014.
(C)
The chamber they entered contained more than 1,500 bones
and teeth buried in ancient clay.
(D)
The six who were eventually chosen were all women, including
American student Becca Peixotto.
Based on the article, which characteristics BEST describe Berger?
(A)
satisfied and carefree
(B)
optimistic and inquisitive
(C)
intelligent and overbearing
(D)
determined and complacent
According to the article, what effect might finding the bones of Homo naledi have
on science?
(A)
It might give new insight into the origin of humans.
(B)
It might allow new developments in medical science.
(C)
It might bring new understanding of human anatomy.
(D)
It might explain why we have ceremonies to bury our dead.