Claims that Homo naledi buried their dead could alter our understanding of human evolution
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With a mix of more modern and more archaic features, the discovery of Homo naledi sent shockwaves through the palaeontological community © Mark Thiessen/National Geographic
A new series of papers claim that the ancient human species Homo naledi buried their dead and made engravings deep within a cave system in southern Africa some 300,000 years ago.
If these claims are true then it would overturn what was thought to be known about the development of human beliefs, culture and symbolism, but there are still some unresolved doubts about the evidence as it stands.
In 2013, cavers exploring a remote, almost inaccessible chamber deep within the Rising Star cave system of South Africa made an extraordinary discovery.
