PROMPT
Identify and explain two ways in which the discovery of Homo naledi was
significant to archaeologists. Support your ideas with evidence from the
text.
Archaeologists surprised to dig up fossils of extinct animals related to
humans
By Washington Post, adapted by Newsela staff (091505)
The two men were spelunkers (people who explore caves). They enjoyed the challenge of
exploring dark and possibly dangerous caves. One day in September 2013 they set out on a
particularly difficult route.The men were exploring one of a group of caves in South Africa
known as Rising Star. Their goal was an unexplored chamber deep underground.
The Long And Winding Search
Most people believed the cave had already given up most of its treasures years ago. American
archaeologist Lee Berger thought otherwise. He asked the men to keep their eyes open for
ancient bones.
The men first had to feel their way along the cave's winding passages. Then they had to crawl
on their stomachs through an opening less than 10 inches high. Next, they climbed a rough
wall, then crossed a narrow ledge known as the "Dragon's Back." They then had to wriggle
through a narrow crack, heading down 400 feet. Finally they arrived at their goal, the hidden
chamber. The chamber was 30-feet-long and probably between 2 million and 3 million years
old.
What they found that day amazed them. 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.
New Discovery, Old Human Relative
After the big discovery, Berger led a further month of digging. The bones and teeth that were
removed were carefully studied for two years. On Thursday, Berger was finally ready to
announce what had been found. The remains the two men discovered belong to a previously
unknown type of human relative, he said.
The new discovery has been named Homo naledi. "Naledi" means "star" in Sesotho, a South
African language. The word was chosen because of the name of the caves. The fact that so
many bones were found is very useful, Berger said. It gives archaeologists a very clear idea of
what Homo naledi looked like. Berger and his fellow scientists say Homo naledi may be one of
the earliest members of the genus Homo. Today's humans also belong that same genus, or
group of animals.
"Surprising" That They Buried The Dead
"Homo" is the Latin word for man. Today's humans are known as Homo sapiens. All the
different types of animals that belong to the genus Homo are known as hominids, meaning
manlike creatures. Parts of at least 15 different bodies were found in the chamber. The bodies
were those of men, women, children and babies. What surprised scientists the most was that
the bodies seemed to have been put there purposely after death. It did not seem as if the
creatures had died there in an accident, or were killed together. Instead it looked as if they had
been carefully buried by other members of their group. Archaeologists had not thought such
ape-like creatures would do something like that.
"It's enormously surprising," Berger said. "To see it in a small-brained hominid is completely
surprising."
Ape-Like Traits Mixed In
Homo naledi is an unusual mix of the ape-like and the modern human, the scientists said. Its
brain was no larger than a baseball. Its fingers were long and curved, allowing it to climb and
swing from the trees. Its shoulders and chest were apelike. At the same time, its wrist bones
show that it used tools. Its long legs and feet were almost exactly the same as those of modern
man. They allowed it to walk upright and to travel for many miles at a time.
"We had never seen a creature like this before," said archaeologist John Hawks.
Berger says he is certain the remains are more than 2.5 million years old. Homo naledi is
therefore among the earliest relatives of modern human beings. It could even be the earliest
member of our family tree, he said. Perhaps we are all descended from Homo naledi.
Berger said he and his team plan to return to the chamber.
"This chamber has not given up all its secrets," he added.