A recent discovery at the Rising Star cave system in South Africa has left scientists puzzled. The fossils found at the site, known as Homo naledi, have been the subject of much debate since their initial discovery in 2015. The latest research has added another layer of mystery to the story, as scientists have determined that all 20 individuals found at the site were female.

The Discovery

The fossils were first described in 2015, and since then, researchers have been working to learn more about this ancient human relative. The latest research, led by molecular scientist Palesa Madupe, used a technique called paleoproteomics to analyze the proteins found in the fossils’ teeth. The results showed that all 20 individuals were female, a finding that has sparked debate among scientists.

According to Lee Berger, a paleoanthropologist and National Geographic explorer in residence, the discovery is significant because it suggests that Homo naledi may have had a unique social structure. Berger argues that the fact that only female fossils were found at the site could indicate that the species had a sex-biased mortuary practice, where only females were buried in the cave.

Implications

The discovery has implications for our understanding of human evolution and the behavior of ancient human relatives. While some scientists, like Berger, believe that the findings suggest a sophisticated social structure, others are more skeptical. Michael Petraglia, a professor at Griffith University in Australia, argues that the evidence is not conclusive and that more research is needed to fully understand the significance of the discovery.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.