From Newsgroup: sci.anthropology.paleo



https://elifesciences.org/articles/89125
Sep 4, 2025

Abstract
Explorations in the Dinaledi Subsystem of the
Rising Star cave system have yielded some of
the earliest evidence of a mortuary practice
in hominins. Because the evidence is
attributable to the small-brained Homo naledi,
these analyses call into question several
assumptions about behavioral and cognitive
evolution in Pleistocene hominins. The
evidence from the Dinaledi Subsystem, and at
other locations across the Rising Star cave
system may widen the phylogenetic breadth of
mortuary, and possibly funerary, behaviors.
These discoveries may also associate the
creation of meaning-making and increased
behavioral complexity with a small-brained
hominin species, challenging certain
assertions about the role of encephalization
and cognition in hominin and human evolution.
We suggest that the hominin socio-cognitive
niche is more diverse than previously thought.
If true, technological, meaning-making
activities, and cognitive advances in human
evolution are not associated solely with the
evolution of larger-brained members of the
genus Homo.Evidence for complex behaviors
associated with a small-brained hominin
suggests that large brains are not solely
responsible for the manifestation of
human-like behavioral complexity.

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2