The day Homo naledi took over the world
Thursday, 10 September 2015 will go down in history as the day on which perhaps one of the most exciting scientific finds in recent history was unveiled to the world: a new species of human ancestor, Homo naledi, named after a cave system in South Africa's Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.
The fossils are on display at Maropeng for one month only - until 11 October, 2015. Book your tickets to see them here.
Less than an hour after Wits University Professor Lee Berger uttered the words: “I am pleased to introduce to you a new species: Homo naledi!”, the name of the new species started trending across the world.
Here is a snapshot of the excitement on social media.
The discovery of #HomoNaledi could transform our understanding of human evolution: http://t.co/hy8vb9WW54pic.twitter.com/HsFUi9O83c
— CNN (@CNN) September 10, 2015
Explorer @LeeRBerger & team made a groundbreaking discovery of a new species of human ancestor: http://t.co/Gjs9BSscHr#NalediFossils
— National Geographic (@NatGeo) September 10, 2015
Meet your cousins - scientists find new human-like species in a cave in South Africa http://t.co/0aPSaNDmWepic.twitter.com/gdniWMIqMv
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) September 10, 2015
BREAKING NEWS: #Naledifossils Meet the ancestor you never knew you had- Homo naledi pic.twitter.com/X0CLTsJkgy
— eNCA (@eNCA) September 10, 2015
BREAKING NEWS: Welcome #Homonaledi! Find out more here: http://t.co/RBlKGUxF1Ppic.twitter.com/eYTTOJ013E
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) September 10, 2015
You can read more about the discovery here.