Rising Star expedition

A new member of the human family?

It is one of the greatest fossil discoveries of our time, a trove of bones hidden deep inside a cave, outside Johannesburg in South Africa.

The team of scientists - from the Rising Star expedition - who made the discovery say the remains are that of 'Homo Naledi'. A new species of our human ancestor.

Homo Naledi is small-brained and primitive - yet revolutionary and complex in behaviour.

Its place in time is uncertain.

It may have lived as far back as three-million-years ago ... or could have roamed the earth as recently as 100,000 years ago.