New research indicates that Homo naledi, an ancient human species with brains about one-third the size of modern humans, engaged in burial practices and created engravings deep within a cave system in southern Africa around 300,000 years ago. These findings challenge the assumption that larger brains are directly linked to higher intelligence.
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The discoveries, presented in a series of papers accepted for publication in the journal eLife, have the potential to significantly change our understanding of human beliefs, culture, and symbolism.
If all the hypotheses regarding Homo naledi are confirmed, it would mean that despite having a brain capacity of less than 600 cubic centimeters (compared to the modern adult brain’s 1,500 cubic centimeters), this species was able to engage in burial practices, create intricate artwork, and use fire.
“This discovery calls for a global conversation among humans. What should our next steps be? How do we proceed? We have just uncovered evidence of another species with a distinct culture that is not human and does not fit within our classification. They are different from us. How should we regard it? I am eager to hear the discussion,” remarked Berger.
Considering that Homo naledi was able to accomplish these complex tasks with a brain size similar to that of an ape, it raises the question of what we, as modern humans, are doing with the surplus brain capacity that evolution has granted us over the past several thousand years.
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