Pics: H. naledi: a star rises

A Archeological find in the depths of a cave in the Marapeng district is thought to be the single largest find of Human like skeletal remains in one area. The research was headed up by Dr Lee Burger. Picture: Antoine de Ras, 09/09/2015

A Archeological find in the depths of a cave in the Marapeng district is thought to be the single largest find of Human like skeletal remains in one area. The research was headed up by Dr Lee Burger. Picture: Antoine de Ras, 09/09/2015

A reconstruction of Homo naledi's head by paleoartist John Gurche, who spent some 700 hours recreating the head from bone scans. The find was announced by the University of the Witwatersrand, the National Geographic Society and the South African National Research Foundation and published in the journal eLife. Photo by Mark Thiessen/National Geographic PERMITTED USE: These images may be downloaded or are otherwise provided at no charge for one-time use for media/news coverage or promotion of the National Geographic Society's H. naledi announcement and exclusively in conjunction thereof. Copying, distribution, archiving, sublicensing sale, or resale of the images are prohibited. DEFAULT: Failure to comply with the prohibitions and requirements set forth above will obligate the individual or entity receiving these images to pay a fee determined by the National Geographic Society. Mandatory usage requirements for National Geographic magazine photos 1-10: Please note: A maximum of 5 images total may be used o

African ambassadors in South Africa are celebrating the discovery of Homo Naledi. Photo: John Hawks

To date, roughly 1 550 numbered fossil elements were found and are believed to represent at least 15 individuals, making it the single largest fossil hominin find yet made in Africa. Picture: John Hawks

Lee-Berger at the microscope with the first Rising-Star specimen. Picture: John Hawks, Wits University

Lindsay Hunter (crt) an archaelogist from Austin Texas was one of six underground astronauts to climb down the Dinaledi Chamber. A Archeological find in the depths of a cave in the Marapeng district is thought to be the single largest find of Human like skeletal remains in one area. The research was headed up by Dr Lee Burger. Picture: Antoine de Ras, 09/09/2015

The fossil material was recovered in two expeditions conducted in November 2013 and March 2014, dubbed the Rising Star Expeditions. This 2013 picture shows the Rising Star Expedition camp. Picture: John Hawks, Wits University