Ancient protein analysis reveals all 20 Homo naledi skeletons in South African cave were female, deepening mystery
By
Ann Gibbons
Summary
Scientists analyzing ancient proteins from tooth enamel of 20 Homo naledi individuals found in the Rising Star Cave system in South Africa discovered that all of them were female, deepening the mystery of how these small-brained ancient human relatives came to rest deep inside the cave between 241,000 and 335,000 years ago. The absence of male-specific molecular markers raises new questions about the social structure, burial practices, and behavior of this enigmatic hominin species.
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Twitter / XAncient protein analysis reveals all 20 Homo naledi skeletons in South African cave were female, deepening mysteryscim.agKey quotes
· 3 pulledJust when scientists thought the mystery of how two dozen ancient human skeletons came to rest in a pit deep inside a South African cave couldn't get any stranger, an unexpected finding adds a new twist: All of the dead were apparently female.
Not one of them carried a molecular marker used in forensics to identify male
The finding raises new questions about who these ancient humans were and why only females ended up in this remote underground chamber.
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