New human-like species changes our family tree. See it here

Thursday, September 10, 2015, 9:27 AM - Scientists have found the remains of at least 15 individuals of a new human-like species in a South African burial chamber.

Researchers say the find will change the history behind human evolution.

The discovery announced Thursday by Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa, is the single largest fossil hominin find made on the continent. The study has been published in the journal eLife.

The species, which as been classified as naledi, belongs to the grouping, or genus, Homo, to which modern humans also belong.

Although the fossils have yet to be dated, Professor Lee Berger, the scientist who led the team of researchers, told BBC he believes the species could have lived in Africa up to three million years ago. The partial skeletons includes infants, children, adults and elderly individuals.

"With almost every bone in the body represented multiple times, H. naledi is already practically the best-known fossil member of our lineage," Berger said in a release.

The fossils were discovered over a 21-day period deep in a cave system and were first revealed during an international launch at the Maropeng Visitor's Centre in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. The remains were located in what was dubbed, "the Chamber of Stars," about 90 metres from the cave entrance, accessible only by a chute, the release reads.

Out of more than 1,550 specimen, only about a dozen found were not hominin. The few pieces include mouse and bird remains, according to the researchers.

Naledi is placed into the same genus as humans due to progressive shape of it skill, small teeth, distinctive long legs and modern-looking feet.

"It was a moment that 25 years as a paleoanthropologist had not prepared me for," Berger told BBC.

Source: BBC | Wits University | Study 

Related video: Prof Lee Berger discusses Homo naledi