Scientists have found a previously unknown creature - some say that this is an important "link" between apes and representatives of the genus Homo.
The eLife magazine reported about the discovery: a new species was identified in a cave 40 km west of the city of Johannesburg. He was named Homo naledi. Representatives of the species lived on Earth about 3 million years ago. It is too early to judge the exact age of the find. Another thing is important: these creatures have an amazing cross between the characteristics of modern humans and early, much more primitive species.
A distinctive feature of Homo naledi is a miniature brain, comparable in size to that of a gorilla. The structure of the pelvic and humerus bones is also very simple. At the same time, the shape of the skull, small teeth and rather long legs allowed the find to be attributed to the genus Homo.
Scientists do not hide their delight, claiming that they have not seen such creatures before. In any case, the head of the expedition, Professor Lee R. Berger, adheres to the thesis about the uniqueness of the find. Experts believe that Homo naledi represents a kind of "link" between apes and modern man.
Earlier, we recall, other scientists announced the discovery of a new species of Australopithecus that lived in the territory of modern Ethiopia more than 3 million years ago. According to experts, it is these creatures that may turn out to be the ancestors of Homo sapiens. Although now researchers have more questions than answers.