Homo Naledi

latest news & developments

The discovery of a new species of human relative, Homo Naledia was unveiled at The Cradle of Human Kind at Maropeng in Johannesburg, South Africa. Naledi was discovered in a hard to reach chamber in the Rising Star Cave which has led scientists to believe that the Hominids had a understanding of the finality of death. Naledi stood about 1,5m high, had a unique mix of primitive and modern features with a tiny brain about the size of an orange, a slender body and unusually curved fingers. (Photo by Denzil Maregele/Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

The no-prisoner Naledi wars

DREW FORREST looks at the fierce academic controversies ignited by South Africa’s most recent hominin find

Drew Forrest

Then Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and Professor Lee Berger hold a replica of the skull of a Homo naledi during the unveiling of the discovery. (File photo)

ANCIENT BURIAL PRACTICES

The God Edition | Searching among the bones for Homo naledi’s soul

Drew Forrest uses one of South Africa’s most important hominid discoveries to debate the paradoxes and contradictions inherent in the religious doctrine of ‘ensoulment’

Drew Forrest

A prehistoric cemetery? Wits’ Professer Lee Berger had to lose 25kg in order to gain access to some narrow passages in the Rising Star cave system. Photo: Luca Sola/Getty Images

Did Homo naledi bury their dead?

Researchers’ findings suggest that they possessed advanced cognitive abilities, something usually associated with Homo sapiens

Edith Magak

The discovery of a new species of human relative, Homo Naledia was unveiled at The Cradle of Human Kind at Maropeng in Johannesburg, South Africa. Naledi was discovered in a hard to reach chamber in the Rising Star Cave which has led scientists to believe that the Hominids had a understanding of the finality of death. Naledi stood about 1,5m high, had a unique mix of primitive and modern features with a tiny brain about the size of an orange, a slender body and unusually curved fingers. (Photo by Denzil Maregele/Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Unearthing Leti, the child of darkness

The first partial skull of a Homo naledi child, which is believed to be 250 000 years old, has been found in the Cradle of Humankind near Johannesburg

Sheree Bega

What to expect from the world of science in 2016

Science continues to shift the boundaries of what we think we know and 2016 will be no exception. Sarah Wild highlights the fields to keep an eye on.

Sarah Wild

Fighting talk: Nomgcobo Jiba

Race, space and sexual diversity

The science highlights that defined 2015.

Sarah Wild

Cutting comment: Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande is blamed for the student fees crisis.

Letters to the editor: October 30 to November 5 2015

Readers write in about Blade Nzimande, the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, and the Nubians.

Letters

While their fans claim they are victims of a knee-jerk fear of anything new

CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

Letters to the editor: October 16 to 22 2015

Readers write in about Cyril Ramaphosa, ancient Egypt and Homo naledi, and the EFF.

Letters

Naledi is our spirit, not simply old bones

Is evolutionary science racist? Should we reject the idea that we evolved from ape-like species?

Busani Ngcaweni

Then Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and Professor Lee Berger hold a replica of the skull of a Homo naledi during the unveiling of the discovery. (File photo)

Homo naledi discovery a triumph for open access and education

The discovery has been a social media sensation, recording an extraordinary number of views – more than 170 000 – for a scientific paper.

John Hawks

The case was postponed to June 18 to allow the accused to make representations to the NPA as well as to have the State handover the docket and other documentation to the defence.

Letters to the editor: September 18 to 23 2015

Readers write in about education, the Commonwealth Games, and Homo naledi.

Letters