Directed by Mark Mannucci, the documentary "Unknown: Cave of Bones" provides an inside look into the expedition conducted in South Africa's Rising Star Mines Malmani Dolomites. Following the initial discovery of fossils in the deepest chambers of the caves, paleoanthropologist and National Geographic explorer in residence, Lee Berger, was tasked with leading an expedition to unravel the hidden secrets within this complex cave network. Check out Unknown: Cave of Bones ending explained below: Did Homo Naledi practice burial rituals?
#1. What is Unknown: Cave of Bones about?
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Source: Decider
In 2013, Lee Berger spearheaded the excavation in South Africa's Rising Star Cave System, resulting in a paradigm shift for paleoanthropologists worldwide. Typically, discovering a couple of bones at a paleoanthropological site is considered significant. However, the experts were astounded to find over 1,500 bone fragments, all belonging to the same species, Homo Naledi.
This revelation held the potential to revolutionize our understanding of human origins and provide previously unknown knowledge. To bolster their efforts, evolutionary anthropologist Augustin Fuentes joined the team. As they recovered bone fragments, they ventured into the cave to glean details about the appearance and lifestyle of Homo Naledi.
#2. Unknown: Cave of Bones ending explained
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Source: IMDb
Within a stone block, the excavators discovered a skeleton resembling that of a child. Upon examination at a European synchrotron radiation facility, the plaster jacket containing the skeleton revealed yet another astonishing revelation. Alongside the skeleton, a tool carved from rock was found, suggesting that Homo Naledi believed in an afterlife and employed tools in their daily activities.
In a pivotal moment toward the end of "Unknown: Cave of Bones," Lee Berger finally descended the chute to seek evidence supporting their theory of Homo Naledi's tool usage. He encountered carvings on the cave walls, recognizing them as intentional markings and proof of Homo Naledi's artistic intellect. This revelation left the paleoanthropology community astonished, leaving Berger overwhelmed with joy, unable to articulate his emotions in that cave.
The findings, ranging from artistic inclinations to creative impulses, provided evidence of Homo Naledi possessing a cultural aspect, albeit potentially a simplistic one. They displayed an awareness of concepts such as spirituality, religion, and the afterlife, leaving one to wonder about their other capabilities.
#3. Did Homo Naledi practice burial rituals?
Source: Parade
Neither Berger nor Augustin anticipated that the discovered species would exhibit highly complex behaviors akin to human beings. During the excavation, they noticed uneven soil in a specific area, which, upon careful examination, revealed a cluster of buried bones.
Although they suspected that Homo Naledi practiced burial rituals, they sought further evidence before presenting their findings to the world, wary of potential skepticism from paleoanthropological societies. Surprisingly, Homo Naledi's burial practices predated the evidence of the oldest modern human burial outside of Africa found in two cave sites in Israel.
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Source: Decider
In light of substantial evidence and consultation with his team, Berger publicly announced that Homo Naledi engaged in ritualistic practices, particularly in the disposal of their dead. The findings were not limited to a mere collection of bones but constituted an actual grave. Despite initial dismissals from other experts, those present in the Rising Star cave system believed that time would ultimately compel the world to accept their claims due to the overwhelming evidence supporting them.
The act of burying their dead indicated Homo Naledi's desire to protect their corpses from animal consumption and reflected their social and religious inclinations. It is possible that burial rituals involved some form of ceremony, highlighting their care for their own and their experience of loss upon the death of a community member.
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