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The hand of Homo naledi

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  • Tracy L. Kivell

    (Animal Postcranial Evolution Lab, Skeletal Biology Research Centre, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Marlowe Building, Canterbury CT2 7NR, UK
    Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
    Evolutionary Studies Institute and Centre for Excellence in PalaeoSciences, University of the Witwatersrand)

  • Andrew S. Deane

    (Evolutionary Studies Institute and Centre for Excellence in PalaeoSciences, University of the Witwatersrand
    College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, MN 224 UK Medical Centre)

  • Matthew W. Tocheri

    (Lakehead University
    Human Origins Program, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution)

  • Caley M. Orr

    (University of Colorado School of Medicine)

  • Peter Schmid

    (Evolutionary Studies Institute and Centre for Excellence in PalaeoSciences, University of the Witwatersrand
    Anthropological Institute and Museum, University of Zuerich)

  • John Hawks

    (Evolutionary Studies Institute and Centre for Excellence in PalaeoSciences, University of the Witwatersrand
    University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Lee R. Berger

    (Evolutionary Studies Institute and Centre for Excellence in PalaeoSciences, University of the Witwatersrand)

  • Steven E. Churchill

    (Evolutionary Studies Institute and Centre for Excellence in PalaeoSciences, University of the Witwatersrand
    Duke University)

Abstract

A nearly complete right hand of an adult hominin was recovered from the Rising Star cave system, South Africa. Based on associated hominin material, the bones of this hand are attributed to Homo naledi. This hand reveals a long, robust thumb and derived wrist morphology that is shared with Neandertals and modern humans, and considered adaptive for intensified manual manipulation. However, the finger bones are longer and more curved than in most australopiths, indicating frequent use of the hand during life for strong grasping during locomotor climbing and suspension. These markedly curved digits in combination with an otherwise human-like wrist and palm indicate a significant degree of climbing, despite the derived nature of many aspects of the hand and other regions of the postcranial skeleton in H. naledi.

Suggested Citation

  • Tracy L. Kivell & Andrew S. Deane & Matthew W. Tocheri & Caley M. Orr & Peter Schmid & John Hawks & Lee R. Berger & Steven E. Churchill, 2015. "The hand of Homo naledi," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms9431
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9431
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