The 335,000-year-old fossil overturned the theory of human evolution

Homo naledi fossil dating is found in South Africa and corpses can reverse scientific knowledge of evolution.

Archaeologists discovered fossils of at least three small brain men Homo naledi in a cave in South Africa. The age of fossils is thought to be very young, possibly the first evidence to conclude that the original Homo naledi existed at the same time as modern humans, according to New Scientist.

The team found the 335,000-year-old fossil of Homo naledi.(Photo: New Scientist).

Using dating inspection, the team found Homo naledi lived in Africa about 236,000 to 335,000 years ago. The oldest fossil of modern humans (Homo sapiens) was found to have a lifespan of about 200,000 years. This shows that these two primitive human species may have existed at the same time. This is the first time one of the ancient human species was found to be associated with modern humans in Africa.

Researching the structure of the hands of Homo naledi reveals that they can build tools. The dating inspection also questioned the ability of Homo sapiens to build tools, possibly rewriting the evolution of human ancestors. This new fossil assessment hypothesizes the process of exchanging tools and cultural activities between Homo naledi and Homo sapiens.

Homo brain naledi (right) compared to Homo sapiens brain.(Photo: John Hopkins University).

The archaeological team also discovered fossils that proved Homo naledi once buried the dead. This is surprising behavior, showing that this species can possess intelligence. What's interesting is that Homo naledi only has a brain size of 1/3 of a human. These fossils belong to at least 3 individuals including two adults and one child.

The fact that Homo naledi brought the corpse into an underground cave was similar to the Neanderthals. In a cave in Spain, there is evidence that Neanderthals also gathered corpses 400,000 years ago.