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| The Cradle of Human Kind Landscape |
On the 10th of September 2015 the world was
introduced to a new species of human relative, named Homo Naledi.
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| The skull with reconstructions |
Naledi means star in Sotho. The fossil skeletons were found
in the Dinaledi Chamber of the Rising Star Cave system in the Cradle of
Humankind World Heritage Site.
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| Some of the fossils found in the cave |
The fossils were revealed for the first time during an
international launch at the Maropeng Visitor’s Centre in the Cradle of
Humankind World Heritage Site and will be on show until 11 October 2015.
We find the study of human ancestry very interesting and
decided that the opportunity to see the fossils on display is too good an
opportunity to waste. On Saturday we set out for the Maropeng visitor centre for
a completely new experience.
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| Entrance to the Maropeng exhibition Centre |
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| The back of the Maropeng exhibition Centre with viewing deck and restaurant |
The queues to see the fossils did not faze us and we were
rather impressed with the interest that this find is enjoying locally. It was both
exciting and a privilege to be in the cradle of human kind.
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| The cover of the October issue of National Geographic |
It is amazing to
think that we all share a common ancestry yet the world is rife with conflict
and hatred because people perceive each other as different.
“H. naledi was much closer in appearance to Homo species
such as H. erectus than to australopithecines, such as Lucy. But it possesses
enough traits shared with no other member of our genus, which is what warrants
a new species name.”
This was a really fascinating visit on many levels. In spite of the stiff admission fee, there were at least a hundred people ahead of us when we joined the queue waiting to view the Homo Naledi fossils in a separate chamber in the Maropeng exhibition centre. Viewers were allowed admission to the chamber in groups of 35 at a time and strictly allowed only ten minutes viewing time. The management of the crowds was impressive and very professional.
ReplyDeleteSo interesting. Wonderful discovery. Thanks for the tour.
ReplyDelete