Archaeologists from the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa) discovered the oldest tombs in the world, which were left 244 thousand years ago. He writes that they contain skeletons of prehistoric human relatives, Homo naledi. Science Alert.

Burials were found about 30 meters below ground in the Cradle of Humankind limestone cave system in South Africa. The individuals embedded in them were in embryo position.

“These are the oldest burials ever recorded in the hominid historical record. They are at least 100,000 years older than the burials of Homo sapiens. The pits that were deliberately dug and filled in to conceal the bodies contain at least five individuals. These discoveries suggest that burials have H. sapiens or large brain sizes. “It shows that it’s not limited to other hominids,” he said.

Scientists believed that Homo naledi could engage in complex and meaningful behavior because their brains were the size of an orange, three times smaller than a human. This theory is now being questioned. refuted by discovered engravings that create geometric shapes. It turns out that he also has cognitive abilities.

“This could mean that humans were not unique in the development of merely symbolic practices, but were not even pioneers,” the study’s authors write. Said.

Our species appeared 240-340 thousand years ago. Before that, much more primitive representatives of the genus Homo, including H. naledi, lived in South Africa. They reached an average of 140 centimeters and a weight of 40 kilograms. This species climbed trees, but the structure of their hands already allowed them to use tools.