The impact of a date for understanding the importance of Homo naledi

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.

Keywords:

• palaeoanthropology
• geochronology
• Rising Star cave
• Dinaledi Chamber
• hominin