Scientists have discovered a new species in human lineage in South Africa. According to a statement by scientists on Thursday, they unearthed fossilized bones of about 15 bodies in a cave system outside Johannesburg, South Africa. The discovery could be considered as a breakthrough in evolution research.

The cave system, where the ancient fossils were discovered, is only accessible though many steep climbs. The researchers named the new species ‘Homo Naledi’ after the cave, Rising Star. According to experts, there is no doubt that the fossils are ancient, but it is still unknown how old they are. The bones must be placed there after the death, they added. The researchers expect that the discovery could reveal interesting information on the origin of mankind.

Lee Berger, research professor from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, said, “We have just met a new species of human relative that deliberately disposed of its dead. Until this moment in history we thought the idea of ritualized behaviors directed towards the dead... was actually unique to Homo sapiens”.

The ancient bones were first discovered about two years ago by researchers from the Witwatersrand University and volunteer cavers in the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fossils were unearthed about 50 kilometers northwest of Johannesburg.

Homo Naledi is an extinct species of humans whose members were about 5 feet tall and had weight about 45 kilos. According to John Hawks from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the species had a tiny brain.