Naledi was not my friend... by 36 000 years
To ensure that the results were accurate, the paper confirms that “the most crucial tests were carried out at independent laboratories around the world, and the scientists conducted the tests without knowing the results of the other laboratories”.
The fact that the Rising Star fossils are much younger than had been expected does not necessarily mean that H. naledi should be removed from the base of our family tree. It is possible that about 2.5 million years ago, there was a fork in the original family of H. naledi where one part evolved into H. erectus and eventually H. sapiens, while the other side lingered on unchanged as H. naledi for another two million years or so.
While there is no evidence to support this possibility, it cannot be ruled out. It is quite probable that H. naledi will turn out to be an evolutionary dead-end – an interesting one – but nevertheless quite dead.
However, what is likely to be the most controversial aspect of Berger’s announcement is his claim that “H. naledi possibly lived at the same time, and in the same place, as modern humans”. This is the angle that led in most mainstream publications in South Africa.
A regional newspaper declared unequivocally that “Homo Naledi lived with man” even though not a shred of evidence was presented to support this dramatic claim. The newspaper said, “About 300 000 years ago‚ South Africans shared their land with another human-like species: Homo Naledi”.
This statement created erroneous impressions that first of all, there were South Africans; and secondly that these South Africans lived in harmony with relatives of another species.
We can almost imagine them breaking bread together and perhaps sharing a fraternal beer in the spirit of ubuntu.
News 24 online news site said, “scientists and researchers can now reveal that it is highly likely that the species lived alongside Homo sapiens” suggesting that they hung out together.
Even Wits Vice Chancellor Adam Habib got caught up in the political feel-good spin conjured up by Berger and according to the Herald said “The true significance of this research shows we belong to a common humanity. That is a fundamental thing.
“In a world of division… when people are looking at their ethnicity to define who gets what and in a world where we are becoming so intolerant of each other‚ this research shows we have very