Homo naledi is an extinct species of hominin that was discovered in the Rising Star Cave system in South Africa in 2013. This species is notable for its unique combination of primitive and modern traits, including a small brain size similar to that of Australopithecus and more advanced features like a human-like hand and foot structure. The fossils of Homo naledi date back to around 335,000 to 236,000 years ago, suggesting they coexisted with early modern humans. Their discovery has sparked discussions about the complexity of human evolution and the behaviors of early hominins, including the possibility of burial practices.