Dinaledi Chamber Perot Museum 1.0

Embark on a virtual journey to witness the groundbreaking discoveries that are reshaping our understanding of human evolution.

Step into the South African cave where an expedition led by world-renowned paleoanthropologist Professor Lee Berger uncovered Homo naledi, a new species in the human family tree. DinalediVR presents the immersive Virtual Reality Dinaledi Experience, expanding the exploration of the cave outside the confines of the Perot Museum. The experience showcases six scientists narrating their insights in their native languages. Conceived through a collaboration between the Perot Museum, Groove Jones, and the University of Witwatersrand (South Africa), the Virtual Reality Dinaledi Experience stands as a prominent display in the Museum's Being Human Hall. Here, visitors are invited to delve into informative content ranging from early ancestral history to contemporary human attributes, and the pioneering achievements of local Nobel Prize Laureates. Uncover the story of human evolution through the ancient fossils left behind by our predecessors.

The unearthing of Homo naledi marked a noteworthy addition to scientific knowledge. This species exhibits a blend of human-like physical features alongside resemblances to more archaic ancestors. Dating back between 336,000 and 230,000 years, fossils from this find challenged preconceptions about early human history. The unveiling of Homo naledi was only made possible by the collaborative efforts of nearly 150 scientists from across the globe under the leadership of paleoanthropologist Dr. Lee Berger. The discovered fossils stood out as unique compared to any previous findings.

An extraordinary expedition into the depths of the cave system yielded over 1,500 fossil bones attributed to at least 15 individuals—establishing a record among African human ancestor sites. Notably, Berger himself chose not to venture into the cave during this discovery. The excavation, magnified by a team of six daring "underground astronauts," comprised of paleoanthropologists and archaeologists willing to traverse through an 18cm gap to access the dig site. This intrepid group shed light on the lineage and diversity within the human genus, redefining perspectives on early human and hominin evolution. The exploration is ongoing with teams continuing subterranean excavations while colleagues meticulously analyze fossils in laboratory settings.

For further insight into this captivating cave exploration experience, visit perotmuseum.org/DinalediVR. The Center for the Exploration of the Human Journey crafted this VR escapade within the Dinaledi Chamber to ignite curiosity among diverse audiences around science, exploration, and groundbreaking discoveries.