Reality app dives into cave of life

HAVE you always been fascinated by how scientists discovered Homo naledi?

Now you have a chance to delve into the belly of the Earth and see what they do.

Internationally renowned paleoanthropologist Professor Lee Berger from Wits University and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, Texas, announced a world-first virtual reality app to view “bones that are shaking up our family tree”.

Berger – who recently dominated world science headlines with his discovery of Homo naledi, a new species of human relative – said the app Dinaledi is compatible with most devices and it allows people to virtually tour the cave that very few people – including “underground astronaut” Dr Becca Peixotto – have visited in person. The cave is very narrow and can only be accessed by a 20cm “chute”.

“As I would never be able to actually get into the Dinaledi Chamber, one of the most exciting things for me, personally, is that through the Dinaledi app I can actually see and experience what it is like to be in the chamber where these wonderful discoveries were made.

“And, even more exciting, I can share this first-time experience with young fossil hunters from all over the world,” said Berger.

The app comes with narration in six languages from some of the actual explorers and scientists from Berger’s Rising Star expedition, viewers can explore and even “virtually” hold fossils from the remote cave.

The translated experiences are available in English, American and European Spanish, and the African languages of Zulu, Tswana and Sotho. | Staff Reporter