Homo naledi fossils clue to evolution of tool use, standing upright

The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. 

More details have trickled out from scientists studying the 1,550 fossil bones of Homo naledi, a newly discovered human relative unearthed in a South African cave. They provide more insight into how modern humans descended from the trees and evolved to walk upright, bearing tools in their hands.

In a pair of papers published online in Nature Communications, an international team of researchers studying the function of H. naledi’s hand and foot, based on hundreds of bones recovered in a cave in 2013, describe a mix of primitive and modern features not seen before among fossils from the human, or Homo, genus.

The findings show that H. naledi’s hands and feet were well adapted for both modern functions, such as walking upright and using tools, and for primitive ones, such as climbing trees.

“It shows we have a much greater diversity in the fossils of human ancestors than we thought possible,” Tracy Kivell, a paleoanthropologist from the University of Kent who’s part of the team studying the bones, told the Guardian.

For example, in studying 15 hand bones, plus a nearly complete hand – a rarity in the fossil record – Dr. Kivell and her team found that the structure of H. naledi’s wrist and thumb is similar to ours and those of our extinct cousins, the Neanderthals. This indicates that the species would have had the dexterity to make and use tools, although no tools have been found.

Read full, original post: How ancient hands and feet shed light on human evolution

{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.singularReviewCountLabel }}
{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.pluralReviewCountLabel }}
{{ options.labels.newReviewButton }}
{{ userData.canReview.message }}
screenshot at  pm

Are pesticide residues on food something to worry about?

In 1962, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring drew attention to pesticides and their possible dangers to humans, birds, mammals and the ...
glp menu logo outlined

Newsletter Subscription

* indicates required
Email Lists
glp menu logo outlined

Get news on human & agricultural genetics and biotechnology delivered to your inbox.