Homo naledi in Rising Star Cave: Burial, Rituals, and the Origins of Death

Researchers reveal Homo naledi fossils hidden deep in South Africa's Rising Star Cave and present a controversial burial hypothesis. The tiny-brained species shows a mosaic of modern and ancient traits, living near contemporaries with larger brains and possibly leaving their dead in a secluded chamber. The video follows the gruelling retrieval through a 20 centimetre crack and a 12 metre chute, plus the debate in the scientific community about whether the cave holds evidence of funerary ritual, not simply accidental burial. The implications touch on grief, human uniqueness, and how early our ancestors might have practiced care for the dead.

Introduction

The New Scientist feature takes viewers into Rising Star Cave in South Africa where researchers have unearthed a large collection of fossils from a previously unknown hominin species, Homo naledi. The discovery challenges long standing assumptions about the evolution of human-like behaviours and the relationship between brain size and culture.

The Discovery and the Site

What makes this site remarkable is not only the fossils but also the journey to recover them. The bones were found deep underground, after navigating passages so tight that a full breath could cause a life threatening snag. A 20 centimetre gap and a 12 metre vertical chute were the only routes to bring out thousands of bones from a surface rich with remains. The group responsible dubbed themselves Underground Astronauts, a nod to the extreme conditions under which fieldwork occurred. More than 1500 individual remains from at least 15 individuals were recovered from the chamber and surrounding context, presenting a fossil haul unheard of on the African continent.

The Species and Its Anatomy

Homo naledi is described as small brained, with about one third the brain size of modern humans, yet its skeleton displays a mosaic of features that are both primitive and advanced. Some traits resemble modern humans while others look ape-like. Its limb proportions and hand structure, for example, show a mixture of capabilities. Diet appears to be human-like, yet the overall anatomy suggests a creature well adapted to climbing and moving through complex habitats, hinting at a versatile lifestyle in its environment.

Dating and the Timeline

Radiometric analyses placed Homo naledi at around 200,000 to 300,000 years old, a time when other hominins with larger brains roamed Africa. This juxtaposition of a small-brained species living alongside larger-brained contemporaries complicates the conventional narrative that brain size maps directly onto behavioural complexity. There is no consensus yet on how naledi relates to modern humans or other ancient lineages, leaving open questions about common ancestry or potential interbreeding.

The Burial Hypothesis and Evidence

One of the most controversial ideas is that naledi deliberately placed their dead in hard to reach parts of the Rising Star system, potentially signalling a funerary practice. The researchers noted distinguishable disturbances in fossil-rich soil and, in one case, a body positioned with care. Additional findings include evidence that the site may have functioned as a burial ground rather than a temporary shelter or accident of deposition. If true, naledi would be among the earliest known examples of deliberate burial, significantly pushing back the origins of ritual and mourning in the human family tree.

Controversy and Skepticism

Not all scientists accept the burial interpretation. Critics point to alternative explanations for the fossil arrangement, the difficulty of distinguishing human intentionality from natural processes, and methodological debates about how to infer behaviour from soil chemistry and fossil context. Some researchers emphasise the possibility that the cave could have been easier to access in the past, complicating the single entrance thesis. The debate illustrates how paleoanthropology often works with incomplete evidence and diverse interpretations.

Speculations about DNA and Relationship to Us

Discussions extend to the possibility that Homo naledi might be related to enigmatic ancient DNA references such as Species X, a lineage found in West African genomes but not yet identified in the fossil record. The idea that naledi could be connected to these DNA lineages adds another layer of intrigue and complexity to the human family tree, though concrete links remain unresolved.

Broader Implications for Being Human

Even if the burial hypothesis is not fully proven, the Rising Star findings invite us to rethink assumptions about what it means to be human. They suggest that complex emotions like grief, ritual behaviour, and social care might have deep roots that precede large brains. The video places naledi within a broader context of early funerary practices, comparing it with examples from other sites where pollen, grave placement, or other signs have been interpreted as ritual evidence. It underscores the uncertainty inherent in paleoanthropology and invites ongoing exploration with cautious interpretation.

Future Directions

The researchers continue to examine new evidence and refine methods as they piece together a more complete picture of Homo naledi and its world. The ongoing debate highlights the value of diverse perspectives and rigorous testing in science. Watch for future updates as additional discoveries shed more light on the origins of ritual, grief, and what it truly means to be human.