Rising Star Cave discovery of 15 Homo naledi individuals. In 2013, explorers entered the Rising Star Cave system in South Africa The fossil chamber is located 30m below surface and 80m from the nearest entrance Remains from at least 15 individuals were recovered from the same confined space
In 2013, explorers entered the Rising Star Cave system in South Africa and discovered remains from at least 15 Homo naledi individuals—adults, children, and infants. The chamber lay 30m below the surface, 80m from the nearest entrance, in complete darkness. No tools, hearths, or food remains were found. This was not a living space. 🕳️
Key Facts
- In 2013, explorers entered the Rising Star Cave system in South Africa
- The fossil chamber is located 30m below surface and 80m from the nearest entrance
- Remains from at least 15 individuals were recovered from the same confined space
- The chamber contained adults, children, and infants
- No tools, hearths, or food remains were found - it was not a living space
- The chamber is in complete darkness (the 'dark zone') and required navigating passages as narrow as 20cm
Related site: Rising Star Cave — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: We Found a Human Species That Shouldn’t Exist by Michael Button