After remaining shut down for almost three years because of major flooding, South Africa’s iconic Sterkfontein Caves are reopened to the tourists once again with an all new immersive experience. The caves have always brought visitors closer to the world of palaeontology . These caves, which are around 50 kilometres northwest of Johannesburg, welcomed tourists on Tuesday as part of the Cradle of Humankind UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What’s inside the caves
Inside the caves are weathered limestone formations which are god knows how many millions of years old, hanging from the ceiling! The site has long been a favourite of scientists, yielding numerous fossil discoveries that shed light on early human evolution. Among the most famous finds is the skeleton dubbed “Little Foot,” a near-complete specimen of Australopithecus, an early human ancestor estimated to be between 1.5 and 3.7 million years old.
The tour guide Keneth Mawete of the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) leads groups through the cave. The reopening introduces a closer view of ongoing scientific work, with fossil technicians like Itumeleng Molefe demonstrating how sediment is carefully sifted in search of skeletal remains.
Fossils found at Sterkfontein have played a pivotal role in understanding the human lineage. "Little Foot," with its blend of ape-like and human features, belongs to a branch of the hominin tree known as Australopithecus—Latin for "southern ape."
A life-sized osteological reproduction of the fossil is now on display, alongside a temporary exhibit featuring other significant discoveries.
Another major highlight is “Mrs Ples,” the most complete skull of Australopithecus africanus, discovered in 1947 and also housed at the on-site museum. These exhibits aim to inspire a new generation of visitors and researchers.
Before the pandemic, the Sterkfontein Caves attracted up to 100,000 tourists annually. The prolonged closure, according to Wits archaeology professor Dominic Stratford, left a sense of loss in the scientific and tourism communities. “Everyone felt like we were missing something,” he said.
Now, with the revamped tour experience and fossil exhibits, the caves are once again poised to captivate and educate visitors about humanity’s deep origins beneath the limestone ceilings of Krugersdorp.
What’s inside the caves
Inside the caves are weathered limestone formations which are god knows how many millions of years old, hanging from the ceiling! The site has long been a favourite of scientists, yielding numerous fossil discoveries that shed light on early human evolution. Among the most famous finds is the skeleton dubbed “Little Foot,” a near-complete specimen of Australopithecus, an early human ancestor estimated to be between 1.5 and 3.7 million years old.
The tour guide Keneth Mawete of the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) leads groups through the cave. The reopening introduces a closer view of ongoing scientific work, with fossil technicians like Itumeleng Molefe demonstrating how sediment is carefully sifted in search of skeletal remains.
Fossils found at Sterkfontein have played a pivotal role in understanding the human lineage. "Little Foot," with its blend of ape-like and human features, belongs to a branch of the hominin tree known as Australopithecus—Latin for "southern ape."
A life-sized osteological reproduction of the fossil is now on display, alongside a temporary exhibit featuring other significant discoveries.
Another major highlight is “Mrs Ples,” the most complete skull of Australopithecus africanus, discovered in 1947 and also housed at the on-site museum. These exhibits aim to inspire a new generation of visitors and researchers.
Before the pandemic, the Sterkfontein Caves attracted up to 100,000 tourists annually. The prolonged closure, according to Wits archaeology professor Dominic Stratford, left a sense of loss in the scientific and tourism communities. “Everyone felt like we were missing something,” he said.
Now, with the revamped tour experience and fossil exhibits, the caves are once again poised to captivate and educate visitors about humanity’s deep origins beneath the limestone ceilings of Krugersdorp.
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