Ancient Human Ancestor Discovered in Africa in a Remote Cave

First Posted: Sep 10, 2015 07:36 AM EDT

Scientists have discovered a new fossil species that may explain a bit more about human evolution. The new human relative, which was found in Africa, was a tiny creature with a small brain that opens the door to a new way of thinking about our ancient ancestors.

"We found adults and children in the cave who are members of the genus Homo but very different from modern humans," said Charles Musiba, one of the researchers, in a news release. "They are very petite and have the brain size of chimpanzees. The only thing similar we know of are the so-called 'hobbits' of Flores Island in Indonesia."

Homofloriensis was discovered in 2003 on Flores Island. 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 new species is called Homonaledi after the cave where it was found. The bodies seem to have been deposited in the cave intentionally, which is somewhat surprising. Scientists have long believed that this sort of ritualized or repeated behavior was limited to humans.

"The hand has human-like features for manipulation of objects and curved fingers that are well adapted for climbing," said Caley Orr, one of the researchers. "But its exact position on our family tree is still unknown."

While the remains reveal a bit more about human ancestors, they aren't the only remains in the remote cave system where they were found. Getting into the chamber was difficult, and required explorers to squeeze through a 7-inch wide gap to reach the remains.

"If these fossils are late Pliocene or early Pleistocene, it is possible that this new species of small-brained early Homo represents an intermediate between Australopithecus and Homoerectus," write the researchers.

The findings are published in the journal eLife.

Evolution: Human Hands May be Less Evolved Than Chimp Hands

For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).

See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone

TagsFossil, fossils, Species, Human, Humans, human ancestor, prehistoric humans, Prehistoric, Skeleton