Scientists find fossil of early hominid in South Africa

By SEBABATSO MOSAMO
Associated Press

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The fossil remains of an early hominid child have been discovered in a cave in South Africa by a team of international and South African researchers. The team announced the discovery of a partial skull and teeth of a Homo naledi child who died almost 250,000 years ago when it was approximately four to six years old. The announcement on Thursday said the remains were found in a remote part of the cave that suggests the body had been placed there on purpose, in what could be a kind of grave. Homo naledi is a species of archaic human found in the Rising Star Cave, Cradle of Humankind, 50 kilometers (30 miles) northwest of Johannesburg.