Major new research claims smaller-brained Homo naledi made rock art and buried the dead. But the evidence is lacking

Source: The post is based on the article “Major new research claims smaller-brained Homo naledi made rock art and buried the dead. But the evidence is lacking” published in the DTE on 6th June 2023

What is the News?

Three new studies (as pre-prints awaiting peer review) claim to have found evidence that Homo naledi intentionally buried their dead (a sophisticated practice usually associated with Homo sapiens) and made rock art, which suggests advanced cognitive abilities.

Who are Homo Naledi?

Homo Naledi is a species of human discovered in the Rising Star cave system, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in South Africa in 2013.

Note: In the Rising Star cave system, the remains of at least 15 individuals, including adults, juveniles, and infants, were found. Thereby making it the largest collection of a single hominin species in Africa.

These are short-statured, small-brained ancient cousins and are thought to have lived in Southern Africa between 335,000 and 241,000 years ago (possibly up to 2 million years ago).

They exhibit a combination of primitive and modern features and are not a direct ancestor of modern humans.

What are the key highlights of the study?

Burrial practice: Homo Naledi deliberately buried their dead. Previously, the earliest evidence of Mortuary behaviour was found among Neanderthals and modern humans, occurring more than 100,000 years after Homo naledi.

Note: Humans’ behaviour of burying the dead is known as Mortuary behaviour. This is characterized by social acts and a complex understanding of death.

Practised Rock art: Homo naledi may have created rock art in Rising Star Cave. The report describes engravings in the form of deeply impressed cross-hatchings and geometric shapes such as squares, triangles, crosses and X’s.

Note: Earlier, rock art has traditionally been associated with Homo sapiens and other large-brained ancestors.

Application of fire: Homo naledi used fire strategically for illumination during mortuary and engraving activities in the cave.

What are the controversies surrounding the report findings on Homo naledi?

a) There is no compelling evidence of deliberately excavated pits or anatomical alignment of skeletal remains, b) The spatial association of some skeletal elements does not confirm intentional burial, and c) The absence of dating for the engravings raises doubts about their attribution to Homo naledi.