Publication
New fossil remains of Homo naledi from the Lesedi Chamber, South Africa
Publisher:
eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
Date:
09-05-2017
DOI:
10.7554/ELIFE.24232
Abstract: The Rising Star cave system has produced abundant fossil hominin remains within the Dinaledi Chamber, representing a minimum of 15 in iduals attributed to Homo naledi. Further exploration led to the discovery of hominin material, now comprising 131 hominin specimens, within a second chamber, the Lesedi Chamber. The Lesedi Chamber is far separated from the Dinaledi Chamber within the Rising Star cave system, and represents a second depositional context for hominin remains. In each of three collection areas within the Lesedi Chamber, diagnostic skeletal material allows a clear attribution to H. naledi. Both adult and immature material is present. The hominin remains represent at least three in iduals based upon duplication of elements, but more in iduals are likely present based upon the spatial context. The most significant specimen is the near-complete cranium of a large in idual, designated LES1, with an endocranial volume of approximately 610 ml and associated postcranial remains. The Lesedi Chamber skeletal s le extends our knowledge of the morphology and variation of H. naledi, and evidence of H. naledi from both recovery localities shows a consistent pattern of differentiation from other hominin species.