• Photo by Mark Thiessen/National Geographic. This image is from the October issue of National Geographic. More on http://natgeo.org/naledi.”
    Photo by Mark Thiessen/National Geographic. This image is from the October issue of National Geographic. More on http://natgeo.org/naledi.”
  • H. naledi would have stood 1.5m tall and weighed about 45kg.
    H. naledi would have stood 1.5m tall and weighed about 45kg.
  • H. naledi's jaws look remarkably similar to a human's.
    H. naledi's jaws look remarkably similar to a human's.
  • The 1.5m hominin's feet are remarkably similar to ours, designed for long-distance walking.
    The 1.5m hominin's feet are remarkably similar to ours, designed for long-distance walking.
  • Long legs suggest H. naledi was built for walking, while ape-like shoulders suggest it was probably also a good climber.
    Long legs suggest H. naledi was built for walking, while ape-like shoulders suggest it was probably also a good climber.
  • H. naledi's long, curved fingers are one of its most extraordinary features.
    H. naledi's long, curved fingers are one of its most extraordinary features.
  • The fossils were discovered in the Dinaledi Chamber, a remote underground room in the Rising Star caves in the Cradle of Humankind.
    The fossils were discovered in the Dinaledi Chamber, a remote underground room in the Rising Star caves in the Cradle of Humankind.
  • Cavers Rick Hunter and Steve Tucker approach the entrance to the Rising Star caves.
    Cavers Rick Hunter and Steve Tucker approach the entrance to the Rising Star caves.
  • Professor Lee Berger at the microscope with the first specemin to be brought out of the Rising Star caves.
    Professor Lee Berger at the microscope with the first specemin to be brought out of the Rising Star caves.
  • The Rising Star expedition camp was set up near the mouth of the caves. Here, the team could remotely monitor the dig.
    The Rising Star expedition camp was set up near the mouth of the caves. Here, the team could remotely monitor the dig.
  • 6 petite 'underground astronauts' had to squeeze through an 18cm gap to gain access to the fossil site deep underground.
    6 petite 'underground astronauts' had to squeeze through an 18cm gap to gain access to the fossil site deep underground.
  • The fossils were taken to Wits University for examination. Here Chris Walker, Damiano Marchi and Pianpian Wei compare femora.
    The fossils were taken to Wits University for examination. Here Chris Walker, Damiano Marchi and Pianpian Wei compare femora.
  • Some of the 1,550 fossil elements are examined by expedition members Daniel Garcia-Marquez, Scott Williams and Markus Bastir.
    Some of the 1,550 fossil elements are examined by expedition members Daniel Garcia-Marquez, Scott Williams and Markus Bastir.
  • Rising Star material studied by Myra Laird, Jill Scott, Heather Garvin and Davorka Radovcic.
    Rising Star material studied by Myra Laird, Jill Scott, Heather Garvin and Davorka Radovcic.
  • 'Underground astronaut' Hannah Morris brings up one of the latest finds from the Rising Star caves.
    'Underground astronaut' Hannah Morris brings up one of the latest finds from the Rising Star caves.
  • Cave exploration team leader Pedro Boshoff explores the Rising Star caves.
    Cave exploration team leader Pedro Boshoff explores the Rising Star caves.
  • 'Underground astronaut' K.. Lindsay Hunter works inside the Rising Star caves.
    'Underground astronaut' K.. Lindsay Hunter works inside the Rising Star caves.
  • 'Underground astronaut' Marina Elliot prepares the fossils for transport back to the Cradle of Humankind for their unveiling.
    'Underground astronaut' Marina Elliot prepares the fossils for transport back to the Cradle of Humankind for their unveiling.
  • Professor Peter Schmid examines a fossilised H. naledi tooth from the Rising Star Expedition dig.
    Professor Peter Schmid examines a fossilised H. naledi tooth from the Rising Star Expedition dig.