The impact of a date for understanding the importance of Homo naledi. Issue 2 (3rd May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hawks, John; Berger, Lee R.
• Is Part Of: Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa. Volume 71:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 125
• Page End: 128
• Publication Date: 2016-05-03
• Subjects: palaeoanthropology -- geochronology -- Rising Star cave -- Dinaledi Chamber -- hominin; Science -- Periodicals; Natural history -- South Africa -- Periodicals; 508.68
• DOI: 10.1080/0035919X.2016.1178186
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0035-919X

Abstract

Abstract : We have recently described a new hominin species, Homo naledi, of unknown geological age. This provides a unique opportunity to present evolutionary hypotheses that will be tested when a date becomes available. We outline three possible scenarios that may apply to this species, exploring the implications of geological age for understanding its role in human evolution. The phylogenetic placement of H. naledi does not depend upon its geological age, but other aspects of the hominin record do.