Before the exciting and big announcements coming out on the 5th! (Stay tuned!) I wondered what, according to AI, would it mean if a hominin species, such as Homo naledi, ritualistically buried their dead?
Asking the New Bing Chatbot AI, I asked, “ in APA 7th edition, write a blog post about the implications on what it means to be human if the hominin species homo naledi buried its dead ritualistically, as some researchers believe. Cite your sources. “
The response was exciting: ( I am leaving it unedited to show what a pure AI response looks like).
“One of the most fascinating discoveries in human evolution is the finding of Homo naledi, a new species of hominin that lived in South Africa between 236,000 and 335,000 years ago. What makes this species so intriguing is the possibility that they buried their dead in a ritualistic way, something that was previously thought to be unique to modern humans. In this blog post, I will explore the implications of this behavior for our understanding of what it means to be human.
Homo naledi was first announced in 2015 by a team of researchers led by Lee Berger, who found more than 1,500 bones of at least 15 individuals in a remote chamber of the Rising Star cave system in the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The bones belonged to a small-brained species that had a mix of primitive and modern features, such as curved fingers, long legs, and a human-like face. The researchers suggested that the bones were deliberately placed there by other Homo naledi individuals over a long period of time, as there was no evidence of predators, water flow, or natural openings that could have transported the bones into the cave (National Geographic, 2015).
This hypothesis was challenged by some scientists who argued that it was implausible that such a low-intelligence species could have engaged in such a complex behavior, and that there might be alternative explanations for how the bones got there (CNN, 2021). However, in 2017, Berger’s team found another partial skull of a Homo naledi child in a nearby passage of the same cave system, which strengthened their case for intentional disposal of the dead (CNN, 2021). The child’s skull was found on a limestone shelf above the cave floor, suggesting that it was placed there on purpose.
If Homo naledi did indeed bury their dead, what does that mean for our definition of humanity? One possible implication is that we need to rethink our assumptions about the relationship between brain size and cognitive abilities. Homo naledi had a brain volume of about 500 cubic centimeters, which is less than half of that of modern humans. Yet they may have exhibited a behavior that requires planning, cooperation, communication, and symbolic thinking. This suggests that brain size is not the only factor that determines intelligence, and that there might be other ways of evolving complex cognition (Human Genesis, 2016).
Another possible implication is that we need to expand our view of human culture and spirituality. Disposal of the dead is one of the earliest signs of cultural expression and religious belief among hominins. It shows that they had a sense of self-awareness, social bonding, and respect for the deceased. It also implies that they had some concept of an afterlife or a transition to another realm. While we cannot know for sure what Homo naledi thought or felt when they buried their dead, we can imagine that they had some form of emotional attachment and ritual practice that gave meaning to their lives (National Geographic, 2015).
In conclusion, Homo naledi is a remarkable species that challenges our conventional notions of what it means to be human. By burying their dead in a ritualistic way, they may have demonstrated cognitive and cultural capacities that were previously thought to be exclusive to modern humans. They also may have shared some aspects of our spirituality and morality, which are often considered to be defining features of our humanity. By studying Homo naledi and other hominins, we can learn more about our origins and diversity as a species.
References:
CNN (2021). First ancient fossil of Homo naledi child found in the Cradle of Humankind. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/04/world/homo-naledi-child-fossil-scn/index.html
Human Genesis (2016). Did Homo naledi bury its dead? Retrieved from https://humangenesis.org/2016/05/18/did-homo-naledi-bury-its-dead/
National Geographic (2015). Mystery Lingers Over Ritual Behavior of New Human Ancestor. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/150915-humans-death-burial-anthropology-Homo-naledi“
From this little article, I hope that you can see why Homo naledi has always been such a big deal and why learning more about these supposed practices can help shine a light on what makes us cognitively and socially human. Perhaps we will learn more on the fifth; one can only hope and wonder what new mysteries will be announced from the depths of Rising Star Cave, as it never seems empty of surprises.
Keep an eye on this space for all Homo naledi news, especially around the 5th of June this month; not sure what time, but I will have the coverage out ASAP, and if we are lucky, as it is happening! So stay tuned!
World of Paleoanthropology 