no males in the cave system
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Researchers have discovered that all Homo naledi fossils found in the Rising Star cave system are female. This finding suggests the extinct hominin species may have practiced specific cultural behaviors.
Why it matters
This discovery challenges previous assumptions about early hominin social structures and provides new evidence for the existence of culture in non-human species.
The first protein analysis of the fossil teeth of Homo naledi showed that all individuals in the cave system are female. This may provide further evidence that these extinct human relatives had some form of culture.
The article reports on scientific findings from a peer-reviewed study without political or social commentary.
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