Homo naledi and the Chamber of Secrets | Jeremy DeSilva

The largest collection of ancient human bones ever discovered in Africa was excavated from chambers deep within South Africa’s Rising Star cave. In 2013, more than 1,500 fossils of the newly discovered early human species Homo naledi were unearthed. In this lecture, Leakey Foundation grantee and Homo naledi study team member Dr. Jeremy DeSilva discusses what we know about these fossils and how these findings are changing not only science, but how we define “human.”
"Homo naledi and the Chamber of Secrets" was presented at the Houston Museum of Natural Science on 5/21/2019 as part of The Leakey Foundation's Speaker Series program in partnership with the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Sponsored by:
Ann and Gordon Getty
Camilla and George Smith
The Brown Foundation, Inc.
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[@victorioify]

A person who talks with passion certainly can draw one in. I truly enjoyed this one.

[@karolusnaga]

agree ...

[@davidnikoloff3211]

This crawling and squeezing caving is so disturbing I get sick listening to the stories.

[@janposthumus8735]

What a brilliant presenter! Informed, fluent, engaging... certainly one of the best presentations I've been privileged to see and hear. I will remember the name Jeremy DeSilva. Well done, excellent work!

[@flowzerr4550]

Well said!

[@judypetree2589]

It is about time that knowledge was free for the world. Thank you, I have waited 75 years for this.

[@teaburg]

The idea that they stayed there over a long period of time, without needing to move on, suggests life was good in that area.

[@abjoseck9548]

Yes, full-grown man-thinking creature can make value judgments!

[@lostpony4885]

@@abjoseck9548 man creature laughs at other man creature for thinking

[@abjoseck9548]

@@lostpony4885 It means they exercise critical thinking, critical of those who analyze their thinking; unlike the chimps!

[@astro-blaster4190]

@@lostpony4885 fr

[@flugschulerfluglehrer7139]

Each time I see them cavers crawling through this squeeze I get something that feels like a little panic attack.

[@TheLeakeyFoundation]

They are a dedicated group!

[@citizenschallengeYT]

Flugschulder Fluglehrer - Student and Teacher. Thumbs up, that's the spirit!

[@markloveless1001]

Right there with ya. I get a for-real little panic attack.

[@jessebianchi2631]

@@markloveless1001 i had an MRI awhile back. it's a good thing i was sedated. that tube was spacious compared to the crevices i've watched (on video) cavers crawl through. not me, not never.

[@fukemnukem1525]

LoL. Same.....I'm not claustrophobic either.....but that's a tight squeeze. I could see myself having an "episode" while in that chute.

[@andybeans5790]

The last few minutes were very inspiring, I think the results of scientific research should be shared more widely than just journals.

[@b.g.5869]

The only problem with that is that the most common vehicle for that is mainstream media and documentaries and science reporting is typically horrible and most documentaries are really bad and sensationalistic. For example, when they made the fascinating discovery of what appeared to be a diminutive variant of Homo Erectus that survived until around 100,000 years ago in Indonesia, the media reported it as "Scientists discover Hobbits!" It's painfully stupid.

[@charlesgallagher1376]

Like shown on KZbin?

[@marcdemell5976]

Academic Indoctrination. The Bible is true ,Period!HYalleluyah.

[@surfk9836]

@@marcdemell5976 You are so right. Just like in the Bible, my snake and donkey spoke to me and said it was true.

[@jss3018]

Normally my eyes glaze over on these kinds of talks, but Bam, this guy draws you in and keeps you in till the end. What an incredible presenter and absolutely the best "talk" about this subject. I could watch again and learn more. He needs to be where he is and exposed to young people to encourage their interest in this subject. Outstanding. Thanks!

[@deborahfedge4272]

I am so glad that he was unable to go to vet school!!!

[@KipIngram]

DeSilva postively RADIATES enthusiasm and excitement for this work. It's good to see someone who has truly, completely found their calling and answered that call. Fantastic!

[@keepinganopenmind8216]

Kudos to those who can work in caves... or deep water investigative research. I have severe claustrophobia so I can't do it.. But I sure am glad someone else can.. wow this is a super interesting amazing historical scientific research talk... Thanks to all that made it possible.

[@charmainelee8815]

Tou people arecrazy. I am a austraphobic too.

[@richarddavis8863]

@@charmainelee8815 you're afraid of Aussies?!

[@tomg3290]

Irrationally or snot???... ... ... Anzacs WW2..you damn well better be afraid of Aussies - just what kinda crimes are you up to ?

[@touchedbyfire99]

This was a terrific speaker! Loved this!

[@petersiska7510]

he could have cut it down and make it more concise

[@philliphayden2727]

@@petersiska7510 Telling the story makes it far more interesting for most people. If he was simply spouting data, in other words, being 'concise', there would likely only be 3 views of this.

[@mytwocents848]

I love this man's enthusiasm! These are such exciting times for paleoanthropology! It is great to hear more about Homo Naledi. I've been anxiously waiting for this info. Many thanks to Dr. Lee Berger and all these people who are sharing this information, It makes armchair paleoanthropolists , like me, feel like we are part of the learning experience. I've wondered about whether it has been possible to get DNA from these very ancient beings? Many thanks to the Leakey Foundation!

[@morganmajurey5805]

Could not agree more. I am just five minutes into the presentation and his enthusiasm is enthralling. I will be watching to the end and I am sure I will learn many things new to me.

[@johnsimon2988]

This is wonderful. Love that tie! Fascinating time to be alive with the present tools and I'm a big fan of the women that explored, dug up, and documented where man dare not tread.

[@mikekrause910]

Dare not tread? Really? I think it was issue of body mass.

[@johnsimon2988]

@@mikekrause910Hee. And I think it was an issue of ego. Case in point, check your mirror. You've heard of tools?

[@ireneduncan863]

Love his tie!

[@turfblacksmith]

This is where the stories of dwarves, elves and fairies come from. We were living in a diverse family of hominids.

[@toiy6556]

I agree 👍

[@pixelfrenzy]

It's tempting to think so, isn't it? Similarly, why do so many cultures have folk tales about dragons and sea monsters etc...? Maybe there's something in our collective subconscious that connects to real, biological facts from prehistory.

[@masstv9052]

@@pixelfrenzy Humans have been finding Dinosaur and other fossils since before written history. That's where tales of dragons, Cyclops, and mythological creatures come from. Just look at an elephant skull and it looks like the skull of a cyclops.

[@TheShootist]

@@pixelfrenzy because magic

[@fukemnukem1525]

@@masstv9052 Yes it does. It's absolutely fascinating.

[@christopherneelyakagoattmo6078]

Thank you, Leakey Foundation, for this video. It's always great to hear and see new hominid presentations. I have followed your foundation since taking my first Biological Anthropology class in 2015.

[@TheLeakeyFoundation]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed this video and we appreciate your support!

[@karensu5464]

@Autumn Cast talk about uneducated. Fail spelling much?

[@danielasuncion9991]

@@karensu5464 Speling iz important, but not the bee all end al. :)

[@MickAngelhere]

Science is a continuous process of evolution when new discoveries reconfigure the story, it’s refreshing to hear a scientist say he was wrong when his theory was proven wrong, loved the tie

[@robertocofresi1]

Fascinating and with an all woman crew, great.

[@kikosplendito]

I really love their effort to make these fossils so freely available. It touched me when at the end he said these fossils belong to all of us, this is OUR story and these fossils belong to the world.

[@erniemajor]

I thought this would be a boring click on/click off! This man is a captivating presenter with deep dedication. His pacing is engaging, and his focus is on the subject.(not his past accomplishments)

[@khoosengkuang3575]

His lecture is so Impressive till make me cry. Wait to discover. Thank for shared humankind.

[@artcook1976]

One of the best talks I heard on the subject thank you brother 🙏

[@Bernardskaplan]

This was a brilliant presentation - reminded me of Prof. Philip Tobias’ extraordinary lectures. My wife and I were privileged to be among Philip’s students at Witwatersrand University Medical School in 1960. We were fortunate to be in the audience when Louis Leakey came to present ‘Homo habilis’ to Tobias (Mary Leakey’s discovery). Years later we heard unforgettable lectures by Tobias when he was a visiting professor at The University of Pennsylvania. Sadly we just missed being taught by Prof Raymond Dart who’d retired just before we were anatomy students.

[@susanschaffner4422]

Wonderful presentation. I'm going to watch it again as it is packed with information. Thank you.

[@just_kos99]

When I lived in NH in the 60s/early 70s, going to the Boston "Science Museum" as we called it was my idea of heaven. Throw in a visit to the Aquarium the same day, and I was ecstatic. Glad to see it had a big impact on another lover of science!

[@cmk1964]

Wow. What dedication by those cavers and scientists to actually squeeze into those caves. I live not very far from this area but had no idea that there are so many caves there. I’ve been down the Sterkfontein cave.

[@IO-zz2xy]

What an amazing presentation, I was riveted. Thankyou

[@francisfischer7620]

What a fine teacher! Great audience interaction!

[@patriciapalmer1377]

ILLUMINATING !! and not teeth grinding, fall asleep with your eyes open, boring which is so often the case with lectures of this type. His passion for his field in this well organized presentation and easy teaching style translates into a fun learning experience for the lay person of all ages. Thank you. Pat. 2022

[@PaulBunyun1954]

JUST PRIOR to reading your message; I've been reading the Bible. Specifically Hebrews 10:32 .It mentioned the word illuminated. I googled the word to get an in depth. definition. The King James Version says "ye were illuminated". The New King James Version says "you were illuminated". I thought it to be interesting that it (illuminated) is mentioned only once in the Bible as far as I know.

[@gurkharo2408]

"We want free access to the world and share..." and we want to thank you for that ! Your narrative was impressive ; easy speaking, enthiousastic, storytelling, etc... And what an amazing discovery for mankind !!! (as I have found this video ; I was very lucky to click on this one by pure random ! 😅) Great job to everybody involved ... Thanks to all !

[@jamesschneider2091]

Outstanding presentation and visuals. The review of A. sediba was especially illustrative. I have to believe entrance was much more accessible when H. naledi was using the caves, and geological activity has shifted and constricted the "squeezes."

[@Merrsharr]

Considering how small they are, they probably had a lot less trouble. Since some of the fossils were literally right there on the ground, it is possible they simply dropped the corpses into the crevice. (Though in another chamber fossils were found in alcoves that suggest deliberate positioning. It could have to do with social rank.)

[@lyndaproper1313]

Yes, that's what I was thinking. Dr. DeSilva didn't mention any analysis of the geology of the caves area? So I've been thinking earthquakes, or sink holes, or drought, etc. He also didn't mention whether the finds appeared to be complete individuals or if they seemed to be a mix up of individuals on different levels with missing pieces. If they are mixed up, it could indicate water or geologic activity (as well as possibly ritualism). Maybe the researchers know these answers, but it seems you would have to know the geology before attributing motives to the living H. naledi of the time. I was taken aback to hear him use the word "ritualistic" without his having established the status of the geology there. I hope the researchers' charts are accurate and complete. It seems that's a good place to find answers.

[@jamesschneider2091]

@@lyndaproper1313 Natural deposition is clearly ruled out, and . . . We now have official confirmation that the additional H. naledi remains belong to at least three individuals and in fact, many of the bones and teeth belong to a single, remarkably complete adult skeleton, dubbed Neo. “It’s one of the greatest fossil finds of the 21st century in its own right,” says Berger. Judging by the size of the bones, Neo might have stood about 1.4 metres tall and weighed about 40 kilograms, says William Jungers at Stony Brook University in New York, who wasn’t involved in the work. “H. naledi was smaller than originally proposed,” he says.

[@lyndaproper1313]

@@jamesschneider2091 Thank you.

[@christopherkopishke2142]

Prof. Desilva is the one who got me into paleoanthropology while he was working at BU.

[@patricknoveski6409]

Amazing speaker 🔈. Thank all of you. And especially the Son who started this!

[@gstark234]

Good storytelling skills are a prerequisite for being a great teacher Jeremy DeSilva is a good storyteller - this is a really good presentation

[@MagicSa]

Great presentation... So engaging, the presenter’s enthusiasm for his subject is contagious. I’m so glad I stumbled on this video.

[@edwardlee2794]

Fascinating! It keeps me awake literally. Imagine what it does to cultivate the future generations of Paleo anthropologist. Thanks for the effort and keep up the good work. From Hker worldwide

[@carriekelly4186]

I'm so glad I chose to view this presentation. So much admiration for Dr.Berger and the empathetic yet logical manner he carries out his work and the passion he obviously has for the field. New to me is the amazing story about his son finding the fossils at Malapa. Thank you so much for your amazing work and sharing everything with us. Very much appreciated. Look forward to future presentations.

[@radekwarowny]

Simply amazing.

[@juliotoru]

Absolutely beautiful !

[@piratessalyx7871]

Great talk, great finds, the more we learn the better! Thank you scientists!

[@donkeykong758]

Even after seeing a lot of information on this subject from Berger and others, I'm so glad I watched this one. It has a lot more information and it's a terrific presentation.

[@junienlabrousse7798]

Incredible speaker. Thank you

[@victorcontreras9138]

Great lecture! I appreciate your enthusiasm and knowledge on this subject. I'm also becoming a learning person in human evolution and am viewing many more of these videos.

[@giannapple]

What a fascinating puzzle is our history!

[@marcdemell5976]

We come from the first couple ,PERIOD|!

[@chuckgrigsby9664]

@@marcdemell5976 Much as I respect Joe and Jill, they are not in my direct line.

[@aethellstan]

Really interesting lecture, thanks for making it available to us all.

[@caseyjude5472]

Right?!? I wish I had this when I was in school.

[@caseyjude5472]

@Autumn Cast You’ve been lied to. Do more research. Do less racism.

[@aethellstan]

@Autumn Cast We share about 5% DNA with Neanderthals and about 3% Denisovan dependent upon where in the world you come from, plus we have a common ancestor. All hominids came from Africa. Evolution doesn't come from Monkeys and Apes, Evolution affects all organisms, animal, vegetable, Fungi, Bacterial and Viral.

[@aethellstan]

@Autumn Cast The only people that haven't got Neanderthal or Denisovan DNA are Sub Saharan Africans everyone else has. Do YOUR research. There are also various peoples within Africa that have DNA links to other hominid species which haven't been isolated using archaeology but just DNA. Suggest you listen to experts in their field rather than making up nonsense about liars giving lectures. Also ALL HOMINIDS originated in Africa, not just us. We also share a recent common ancestor which is why we could interbreed.

[@yolandacroes5491]

This guy really makes me regret my life choices. As a teen I dreamed of becoming an archeologist but at the end chose business because I thought there was no job opportunities there (that was also before the internet). So here I am at home, doing my business job remotely but listening to this awesome speech. I have always loved history but only recently dove in evolutionary anthropology.

[@rubenjames7345]

Excellent presentation!

[@victorsmith311]

Fascinating lecture, and very well presented. Thank you.

[@serenityviolet1304]

What an awesome talk. I love your passion, your appreciation for your colleagues and the way you explain the scientific process.

[@timtrainor9720]

Top-notch lecture, thank you.

[@GladysAlicea]

Simply fascinating and fantastic that all humanity has open access to these revelations. I’m already on the elite journal site. So grateful and inspired by wonderful presentation. Makes me wish I was still college age.

[@peterz53]

Thank you. Excellent!

[@patora13]

So inspiring ...

[@galegreyson4196]

Wonderful presentation. Thank you.

[@zfid]

Absolutely fascinating, thank you

[@TheLeakeyFoundation]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@isabt4]

Absolutely fascinating! Great speaker! Thank you 🙏

[@adamzandarski8933]

I'd watch that other lecture. Can we have that now?

[@caseyjude5472]

I immediately searched for videos about our shrinking brains & put them in my Watch Later queue!

[@henkwalters6082]

Impressive lecture!

[@Greatblue56]

Fascinating!!!! Thank You!

[@christineatherton3572]

Excellent . Thank you .

[@alicehall9643]

Fantastic video. Looking forward to more. Thank you.

[@knightgold1000]

Fascinating tie!!

[@albertbasson6611]

The most gripping video ever on UT!!!!

[@yarn_dragon]

...an excellent presentation and speaker. Thank you for sharing this presentation with the world.

[@OorahhColeman]

THIS IS AMAZING

[@justinstubbings9242]

Brilliant what an engaging and clearly understandable lecture, not once did I feel talked down to or baffled. Thank you for rekindling my interest in the story of human kind.

[@kerrfamilylaw7487]

Jerry is a treasure. Good find.

[@914Rocky]

Great talk. Love your enthusiasm

[@gsilcoful]

Thank you.

[@stevefrankie]

What a fantastic speaker and presentation. Exceptional!!!!

[@Kemit10]

it's great to know who we are and where we all came from. Thx

[@suzanneanderson582]

Fascinating! I really enjoyed your presentation. Thank you!

[@johnfraser6013]

Excellent presentation - and fascinating. Thank you ! 👍👍👍

[@steeevo0136]

What an absolutely passionate and brilliant speaker.

[@claudiosaltara7003]

Wonderful speaker.

[@puccini4530]

What a brilliant communicator. I really enjoyed that.

[@ArtFreeman]

I have enjoyed watching videos about Homo Naledi. I look forward to seeing more videos about this group and other new discoveries

[@willmpet]

My best friend wanted as I to be a veterinarian. He became a wonderful architect like my grand father. I became a father and a printing professional though I had a degree in education and I loved anthropology.

[@healthisgay8964]

@TheLeakyFoundation the view-counter tells me that I'm the first person to view this (three and a half months later). Given that this is an excellent presentation, on a very topical subject, posted on The Leaky Foundation KZbin page, that just doesn't sound right. Is it supposed to have the unlisted tag? Because I suspect the only reason I was able to find this video - and the other video about H. naledi on this playlist - was by diving through your channel's playlists (so I accidently stumbled on videos unlisted on the search engine).

[@TheLeakeyFoundation]

Thank you for watching!

[@mal2ksc]

There is hope yet. The Secret Algorithm got me here, I'm sure it's sending others as well.

[@barneysdad9193]

An excellent talk. I was rivetted to the screen all the way through. Thank you very much.

[@truBador2]

This is got to inspire the next generation of anthropologists.

[@senglongmanpong2008]

Very Very impressive presentation,would like to know more in the future.

[@sunbird7349]

Well done ,,, huge big wonderful team, what a brilliant talk Jeremy, you certainly captivated my attention, and all of you inspired team members who have worked so tirelessly in the backdrop of this stage, all over the world.. Three cheers!!!

[@1Skeptik1]

Well done!

[@tricky778]

Love the tie!

[@helenwaychas35]

Thank you so much for Amazing information I love it 🥰

[@TeutobergForestryService]

What a fantastic speaker!

[@oldmanflyer1]

fantastic video, I really enjoyed it.

[@davidsaragosa389]

There is no way you would get me to squeeze through that opening I'm glad someone did

[@francisfischer7620]

Stunning artist!! Astonishing!!

[@francisfischer7620]

To be able to see these beings moving! That's just amazing!!

[@frod2349]

Wonderful work

[@dickgrayson5238]

Great talk! 👏

[@markloveless1001]

Indeed, Nightwing, indeed.

[@alphalunamare]

A most excellent and exciting presentation indeed!

[@bjdefilippo447]

Loved the presentation, but please be aware that when a presenter is using a laser to highlight part of a slide, and then says, "here" or "there", nobody watching online can tell which part of the slide is meant.

[@GuyCruls]

superb sound!!!

[@mariaangelica9988]

Wonderful video!!!

[@jwilcox4726]

@25:00 the person down the hole can unhinge his shoulders to go down, it said in the 3 part nat.geo. show. All these shows add perspective on our most beloved info. about humans us. Wonderful show this one. Great job Jeremy DeSilva great talk very interesting. Good Luck on future findings.

[@susanschaffner4422]

One of the best presentations, enthusiastic and clearly delivered. I will watch again, well maybe I'll skip the slip of a cave. Unbelievable that those women could work in such cramped conditions. Thank you for sharing this.

[@saransong5547]

It is now known to be much younger than 2 million years, and was a contemporary of early modern humans in the same area. Fascinating presentation! Thank you for your enthusiastic way of communicating these wondrous discoveries!

[@MaatsWorld]

Great tie.

[@grahamstevens9642]

fantastic- I actually read one of his books before I saw this- great and engaging lecture and also fantastic tie!!