rationalskepticism.org

Scientists are considering two hypotheses regarding the origin of life. Either that it began in deep sea hydrothermal vents, or alternatively that it began on land in a version of Charles Darwin's "warm little pond”.

“The discovery of potential biological signatures in these ancient hot springs in Western Australia provides a geological perspective that may lend weight to a land-based origin of life,” says Ms Djokic.

Scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand have successfully dated the fossils found in the Cradle of Humankind back in 2013.

The previously unknown species - Homo naledi - was first announced in 2015 - two years after the bones were excavated from the Dinaledi Chamber in the Rising Star cave system, west of Johannesburg.

Scientists used various dating methods and were surprised to find that Homo naledi is between 335-and 236 000 years old - a youngster in evolutionary terms.

The finding suggests Homo naledi could have co-existed with Homo sapiens - the first direct ancestors of modern humans - as they made their way to the top of the food chain. "That implies that as our species arose, it arose with others," says lead author Prof. John Hawks. It further raises questions over whether Homo naledi could be directly linked to human ancestry.