The Oldest Known Burial Site in the World Wasn't Created by Our Species
Paleontologists in South Africa unearthed the oldest burial site globally, revealing Homo naledi remains. Dating back to 200,000 BCE, this challenges human evolution beliefs, suggesting early complex behaviors and symbolic practices.
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Paleontologists in South Africa have discovered the oldest known burial site in the world, challenging previous beliefs about human evolution. The site contains remains of Homo naledi, a distant relative of humans with small brains, suggesting complex behaviors like burial existed earlier than previously thought. These findings, led by Lee Berger, indicate intentional burials by Homo naledi dating back to at least 200,000 BCE, preceding Homo sapiens burials by 100,000 years. The discovery also includes engravings on cave surfaces, hinting at symbolic practices. This challenges the idea that bigger brains were necessary for such behaviors, potentially reshaping our understanding of human evolution. The research, published in eLife, suggests Homo naledi was capable of emotional and cognitive complexity, raising questions about the uniqueness of human symbolic practices. While some skepticism exists in the scientific community, these findings could significantly impact our knowledge of early human behavior and evolution.
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