South African Fossils

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

Boning up: A group of scientists has scanned the fossilised bones of Jurassic-era crocodile found in South Africa. Photos: Supplied

ANCIENT CROCODILE DISCOVERY CROCODILE EVOLUTION

Scientists uncover evolutionary clues from tiny South African Jurassic crocodile

Bone scans reveal insights into an ancient South African crocodile ancestor

Sheree Bega