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1 A new species from the genus Homo
The fossils of an unknown species from the genus Homo (where humans belong) has been discovered inside a South African cave.
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2 Bones belonged to 15 individuals
Archaeologists found 1,500 bones belonging to 15 individuals.
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3 Skeletons ranged from young to old individuals
Skeletons ranged from babies to elderly individuals. They have been found in a remote, hardly accessible region of a large cave.
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4 It is not yet clear how fossils ended up there
Archaeologists believe the bodies have been placed there deliberately or maybe a 'death trap' scenario occurred in which they got trapped and couldn't escape.
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5 The age of the skeletons is unclear
Archaeologists say that the skeletons could be anything between 20,000 and 2 million years old.
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6 The remains were found in South Africa's Gauteng province
The remains were found in the Rising Star cave system in South Africa's Gauteng province. They were in a remote chamber that can only be accessed via several steep climbs and fissures some as narrow as 10 inches.
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7 The chamber was just a few feet wide
The chamber, situated down a narrow 40 feet (12 metre) chute, is around 30 feet (9 metres) long and just a few feet wide.
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8 Homo naledi somewhat resembled modern humans
A few Homo naledi's features were very similar to those of modern humans.
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9 Surprisingly complex behavior for a 'primitive' human species
Professor Chris Stringer, research leader in Human Origins at the Natural History Museum, London, said: 'The deep cave location where the bones were found suggests that they may have been deposited there by other humans, indicating surprisingly complex behavior for a 'primitive' human species.'
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10 'Some features made them similar to australopithecines'
Professor Chris Stringer also said: 'On the other hand, the species' small brain and the shape of its upper body are more similar to a prehuman group called australopithecines.'
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11 Features similar to modern humans
The shape of the skull, shape and structure of feet, shape and structure of hands, palms and wrists and long legs are similar to modern humans.
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12 Features similar to australopithecines
Size of skull, 'flared' hips, curved fingers useful for climbing trees and shoulders suggest swinging from trees.
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13 Homo naledi may answer how australopithecines became humans
Archaeologists hope Homo naledi will reveal answers on the transition from australopithecines to humans.
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14 It could take decades to get the most important answers
Archaeologists said that it could take decades before they identify who Homo naledi really was and how he fits into humanity's complex evolutionary tree.
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15 Natural History Museum in London will host casts of fossils
Casts of Homo naledi fossils will be unveiled at the Natural History Museum's event on the 25th of September. They will go on permanent display at the end of November.
Facts Summary: Homo naledi, a 2.8 million year old human ancestor
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