Sterkfontein Caves — Cradle of Humankind
Strong Spring · Sterkfonteingrotte
Pliocene-Pleistocene (3.67–0.8 Ma Member 2–5)·Australopithecus africanus / early Homo / Paranthropus·🇿🇦 Gauteng / West Rand, South Africa
About
About Sterkfontein Caves — Cradle of Humankind
Sterkfontein is the dolomitic limestone cave system 40 km NW of Johannesburg that yielded >500 hominin fossils including Mrs Ples (Australopithecus africanus 2.3 Ma, Sts 5) and Little Foot (Australopithecus prometheus 3.67 Ma, Stw 573 nearly complete skeleton). 6 vertical shafts expose Member 2–5 breccias spanning 3.67–1.7 Ma with Oldowan tools. Cradle of Humankind UNESCO 1999/2000 (with Swartkrans, Kromdraai). Active excavation since 1936 Broom. New Milner Hall visitor centre.
Why it mattersWorld's richest Australopithecus site; Little Foot most complete Australopithecus skeleton proves arboreal+bipedal locomotion.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01How did hominins enter vertical shaft — death trap or occupation?
- 02Why Australopithecus and Homo overlapped temporally
Theories
- 01Sterkfontein as owl and leopard lair collecting mixed hominin remains
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Not built — karst cave formed c.3 Ma dolomite
- Period
- Pliocene-Pleistocene (3.67–0.8 Ma Member 2–5)
- Culture
- Australopithecus africanus / early Homo / Paranthropus
- Builders
- Natural karst; hominin occupation
- Purpose
- Natural shelter and predator trap collecting hominin and faunal assemblages
- Rediscovered
- 1890s limestone miners; 1936 R. Broom
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
3.67 Ma
Little Foot deposit Member 2
1936
Broom discovers Mrs Ples
1997
Little Foot exposed
On the ground
Structures & features
26.0157° S · 27.7340° E · 1480 m · 3 mapped features
Member 2 — Little Foot Chamber
fossil siteBreccia chamber 12 m deep with 3.67 Ma Australopithecus Stw 573 skeleton in anatomical connection
26.0150° S · 27.7335° EMrs Ples (Sts 5) Level — Member 4
fossil site2.3 Ma Australopithecus africanus horizon with Mrs Ples cranium and Dmanisi-like tools
26.0160° S · 27.7345° EMilner Hall & Sterkfontein Museum
museumExhibition hall and suspended walkway over excavation with cast gallery
26.0155° S · 27.7350° E