Every Homo naledi we know of is female, and the implications are fascinating

Analysis of ancient proteins from 23 fossilized teeth belonging to at least 20 Homo naledi individuals revealed no male genetic markers, suggesting the assemblage may represent females only. The finding raises the possibility that South Africa's Rising Star Cave system could represent the first known example of a sex-specific burial site by a non-Homo sapiens species. The results may indicate either an all-female mortuary context or a genetically isolated population with loss or alteration of the AMELY gene.

Source: Ars Technica | 2026-06-25