Descriptive catalog of Homo naledi dental remains from the 2013 to 2015 excavations of the Dinaledi Chamber, site U.W. 101, within the Rising Star cave system, South Africa

Lucas K. Delezene, Matthew M. Skinner, Shara E. Bailey, Juliet K. Brophy, Marina C. Elliott, Alia Gurtov, Joel D. Irish, Jacopo Moggi-Cecchi, Darryl J. de Ruiter, John Hawks, Lee R. Berger

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    More than 150 hominin teeth, dated to ∼330–241 thousand years ago, were recovered during the 2013–2015 excavations of the Dinaledi Chamber of the Rising Star cave system, South Africa. These fossils comprise the first large single-site sample of hominin teeth from the Middle Pleistocene of Africa. Though scattered remains attributable to Homo sapiens, or their possible lineal ancestors, are known from older and younger sites across the continent, the distinctive morphological feature set of the Dinaledi teeth supports the recognition of a novel hominin species, Homo naledi. This material provides evidence of African Homo lineage diversity that lasts until at least the Middle Pleistocene. Here, a catalog, anatomical descriptions, and details of preservation and taphonomic alteration are provided for the Dinaledi teeth. Where possible, provisional associations among teeth are also proposed. To facilitate future research, we also provide access to a catalog of surface files of the Rising Star jaws and teeth.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Article number103372
    JournalJournal of Human Evolution
    Volume180
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Jul 2023

    Keywords

    • Crown and root morphology
    • Hominin
    • Middle Pleistocene
    • μCT

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
    • Anthropology

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