Ancient Human Ancestor Swung from Trees and Used Tools with Their Hands

Scientists have discovered a new species of human relative that may tell researchers a bit more about human evolution. The new discovery, in particular, shows how this ancient species, Homo naledi, moved and walked in its environment.

The newly discovered species has been studied extensively since its finding. More specifically, the researchers studied the species' foot based on 107 foot elements from the dig site where it was found, the Denaldi Chamber. These elements included a well preserved adult right foot, and show that the species' foot shared many features with a modern human foot. In fact, the researchers believe that the species was well-adapted for standing and walking on two feet.

With that said, there were some differences between this species and humans. A nearly complete adult right hand of H. naledi revealed a unique combination of anatomy that has not been found in any other fossil human before.

The wrist bones and thumb of H. naledi show anatomical features that are shared with Neanderthals and humans. This suggests powerful grasping and the ability to use stone tools. However, the finger bones are also more curved than most early fossil human species. This suggests that the species still used its hands for climbing in trees.

The mix of human-like features in addition to more primitive features suggests that the species was both specialized for complex tool-use, but also for climbing.

"The tool-using features of the H. naledi hand in combination with its small brain size has interesting implications for what cognitive requirements might be needed to make and use tools and, depending on the age of these fossils, who might have made the stone tools that we found in South Africa," said Tracey Kivell, the lead author of the new study, in a news release.

The findings are published in the journal Nature Communications.

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