Human ancestor discovery

Professor Adam Habib, holds a reconstruction of Homo naledi presented during the announcement made in Magaliesburg, South Africa, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015. Scientists say they've discovered a new member of the human family tree. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

A reconstruction of Homo naledi presented during the announcement made in Magaliesburg, South Africa, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2015. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Fragments of bone are arranged with skeletal parts of Homo naledi, with hundreds of other fossil elements. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

A composite skeleton of Homo naledi. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

A different view of the composite skeleton of Homo naledi. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Scientists say the huge trove of bones found in the barely accessible, pitch-dark chamber of a cave in South Africa, show a surprising mix of human-like and more primitive characteristics. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Researchers named the creature Homo naledi. That reflects the "Homo" evolutionary group, which includes modern people and our closest extinct relatives, and the word for "star" in a local language. The find was made in the Rising Star cave system. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)