Homo naledi species, discovered in South Africa, may have buried its dead and carved symbols, studies suggest

New scientific studies posted online suggest that Homo naledi, an ancient human cousin discovered in South Africa a decade ago, might have buried its dead and carved symbols into cave walls in what researchers are calling a "remarkable discovery." 

The burials, if confirmed, would be the "earliest yet known by at least 100,000 years," according to an article published Tuesday by National Geographic. The National Geographic Society funded the research. 

It would also raise questions about the evolution of human thinking, as such behaviors are "generally deemed unique to Neanderthals and modern Homo sapiens," the article added. 

"We are facing a remarkable discovery here" for a species that had brains only one-third of the size of humans, anthropologist Lee Berger, who led the research, was quoted by The Associated Press as saying. 

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