local
The most controversial fossil site in human evolution just got even more puzzling
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· June 24, 2026
· 6 min read
By Katie Hunt, CNN
(CNN) — Humanlike fossils have emerged from the deep and twisting caverns of the Rising Star cave system in South Africa over the past decade — and what they have revealed has rocked the field of human origins. Now, new findings on the sex of individuals whose remains were di...
Key takeaway In 2015, scientists first described a tiny and puzzling species of hominin from an unusually rich cache of fossils found at a site known as Dinaledi Chamber within the cave system.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The discovery of ancient proteins from teeth at the Rising Star cave system in South Africa has significant implications for the field of human origins, and El Paso residents with an interest in anthropology and paleontology are likely to be fascinated by the findings. The fact that all 20 individuals found at the site were female raises questions about the social structure and behavior of Homo naledi, and how it compares to other human relatives. In El Paso, where the University of Texas at El Paso has a strong anthropology department, researchers and students may be particularly interested in exploring the implications of this discovery for our understanding of human evolution. The use of paleoproteomics to analyze ancient proteins is a relatively new field, and the Globe Institute at the University of Copenhagen's pioneering work in this area may inspire local researchers to explore similar techniques in their own work.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Katie Hunt, CNN
(CNN) — Humanlike fossils have emerged from the deep and twisting caverns of the Rising Star cave system in South Africa over the past decade — and what they have revealed has rocked the field of human origins. Now, new findings on the sex of individuals whose remains were di...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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