The new species’ hands and feet were much like ours, but with curved fingers and an elongated big toe.
Until then, numerous fossils will be placed in an exhibit at the Cradle of Mankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, until mid October.
Although the fossils have yet to be dated, Professor Lee Berger, the scientist who led the team of researchers, told BBC he believes the species could have lived in Africa up to three million years ago. Like this latest finding, this human ancestor stood at 3.5 feet high, and seems to have existed relatively recently, though the exact age of the fossils is unknown.
The discovery was announced today, September 10, by the National Geographic Society, Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa and the National Research Foundation’s South African Department of Science and Technology.
The discovery of 15 partial skeletons is the largest single discovery of its type in Africa.
The remains were discovered within a burial chamber deep within the Rising Star Cave system, located about 50 kilometers from Johannesburg.
The new species has been placed in our genus homo, explained Professor Lee Berger, who led the team of researchers, because of its human-like features, including the shape of its skull, which is similar to other specimens of homo.
Scientists said Homo naledi was about 5-feet tall and weighed only about 100 pounds.
They recovered some 1,550 fossils, from the skeletons of at least 15 individuals. While exploring the cave system, they had to go through narrow rock crevasses and climb steeply to reach the chamber.
Scientists have discovered a new member of the human family tree, revealed by a huge trove of bones in a barely accessible, pitch-dark chamber of a cave in South Africa.
Eric Delson, of Lehman College in New York, estimated that the Homo Naledi belongs to a group of early Homo beings from nearly two million years ago. In the end, they concluded that Homo naledi may have intentionally and carefully buried its dead, a trait that was believed to be unique to humans.
John Hawks, of the University of Wisconsin, said:’ Homo naledi looks like the earliest members of our genus.