Latest news with #LittleFoot
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
South Africa reopens famous caves holding secrets of human origin
For two and a half years, the "Cradle of Humankind" has been closed. Now, the caves deemed by scientists to hold the key to understanding where humans came from, are open again to anyone visiting South Africa. The Sterkfontein Caves yielded numerous fossil discoveries significant to understanding human evolution, but were closed to tourists in December 2022 due to flood damage. Visitors will now gain an even closer insight into the scientific work that has shaped this UNESCO world heritage site for nearly 100 years, according to Wits University, which is responsible for managing the caves. More than 700 fossils of hominins, apes and human ancestors have been found in the cave system, of which around 2.5 kilometres have been mapped, according to the university. Among the most famous discoveries was the nearly complete skeleton of an early human ancestor. The fossil, nicknamed Little Foot, was excavated between 1994 and 1998 and is believed to be 3.67 million years old. The so-called Cradle of Humankind is located about 50 kilometres north-west of Johannesburg. In addition to the Sterkfontein Caves, it includes other fossil sites and features a large interactive museum. A tour lasts approximately 60 to 90 minutes, and tickets can be purchased online in advance. Adults pay 150 rand (around $8 or €7), while children aged six to 18 pay 125 rand (around $7 or €6). Further information is available at where you can also book tickets.
NDTV
25-04-2025
- Science
- NDTV
South Africa's 'Cradle Of Humankind' Caves Reopen After Flooding
Seated on sandbags in a knee-deep grid dug in South Africa's Sterkfontein caves, where one of our earliest ancestors was found, Itumeleng Molefe swept ancient soil into a blue dustpan, each brushstroke hunting for hidden clues. Nearby, visitors marvelled at the weathered limestone rocks hanging from the ceiling of the caves, millions of years old. Located 50 kilometres (30 miles) northwest of Johannesburg, the caves closed nearly three years ago due to flooding and reopened in April with a new experience bringing tourists closer to the scientific action. The complex is housed within the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, a rich source of artefacts for palaeontologists since it was first discovered. "My aim is to find important bones here," said the 40-year-old Molefe. His most prized find since joining the excavation team in 2013 was an early human hand bone. His father was part of the team that uncovered South Africa's most famous find, a skeleton dubbed "Little Foot", in the caves. Deriving its name from the size of the bones first discovered in the 1990s, it is the most complete specimen of a human ancestor yet discovered, estimated to be between 1.5 and 3.7 million years old. Little Foot is from a branch of the human family tree called Australopithecus, Latin for "southern ape" -- considered the ancestors of modern humans, with a mixture of ape-like and human characteristics. "This reopening represents a significant evolution in how we share the story of human origins," said Nithaya Chetty, dean of the University of the Witwatersrand faculty of science, which manages the caves and the nearby museum. "Visitors now have unique opportunities to engage with active live science and research, all happening in real time," said the professor. 'Missing something' At their peak before the Covid-19 pandemic, the caves received up to 100,000 tourists a year. The closure had left a lingering feeling of sadness, said Witwatersrand archaeology professor Dominic Stratford, recalling busloads of schoolchildren and inquisitive visitors. "Everyone felt like we were missing something," he told AFP. A temporary exhibit of the fossils has been set up at the museum, where visitors will also get a chance to see "Mrs Ples", the most complete skull of an Australopithecus africanus, found in South Africa in 1947. Guiding helmet-clad visitors through the 2.5 kilometres of caves bathed in soft blue LED lights, Trevor Butelezi gestures toward a shadowy passage that leads to an underground lake. "It's actually a beautiful cavity," said the 34-year-old tourism graduate, his voice echoing gently off the walls. "Africa gave rise to humanity and it's not a small thing," he said, paraphrasing a quote from the South African palaeontologist Phillip Tobias. For now, those hoping to glimpse the original Little Foot will have to wait for heritage month in September. The skeleton, which took two decades to excavate and assemble, is only displayed on special occasions.
The South African
25-04-2025
- Science
- The South African
South Africa's 'cradle of humankind' caves reopen to public
Seated on sandbags in a knee-deep grid dug in South Africa's Sterkfontein caves, where one of our earliest ancestors was found, Itumeleng Molefe swept ancient soil into a blue dustpan, each brushstroke hunting for hidden clues. Nearby, visitors marvelled at the weathered limestone rocks hanging from the ceiling of the caves, millions of years old. Located 50km northwest of Johannesburg, the caves closed nearly three years ago due to flooding and reopened in April with a new experience bringing tourists closer to the scientific action. The complex is housed within the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, a rich source of artefacts for palaeontologists since it was first discovered. 'My aim is to find important bones here,' said the 40-year-old Molefe. His most prized find since joining the excavation team in 2013 was an early human hand bone. His father was part of the team that uncovered South Africa's most famous find, a skeleton dubbed 'Little Foot', in the caves. Deriving its name from the size of the bones first discovered in the 1990s, it is the most complete specimen of a human ancestor yet discovered, estimated to be between 1.5 and 3.7 million years old. Little Foot is from a branch of the human family tree called Australopithecus, Latin for 'southern ape' – considered the ancestors of modern humans, with a mixture of ape-like and human characteristics. 'This reopening represents a significant evolution in how we share the story of human origins,' said Nithaya Chetty, dean of the University of the Witwatersrand faculty of science, which manages the caves and the nearby museum. 'Visitors now have unique opportunities to engage with active live science and research, all happening in real time,' said the professor. At their peak before the Covid-19 pandemic, the caves received up to 100 000 tourists a year. The closure had left a lingering feeling of sadness, said Witwatersrand archaeology professor Dominic Stratford, recalling busloads of schoolchildren and inquisitive visitors. 'Everyone felt like we were missing something,' he told AFP. A temporary exhibit of the fossils has been set up at the museum, where visitors will also get a chance to see 'Mrs Ples', the most complete skull of an Australopithecus africanus, found in South Africa in 1947. Guiding helmet-clad visitors through the 2.5 kilometres of caves bathed in soft blue LED lights, Trevor Butelezi gestures toward a shadowy passage that leads to an underground lake. 'It's actually a beautiful cavity,' said the 34-year-old tourism graduate, his voice echoing gently off the walls. 'Africa gave rise to humanity and it's not a small thing,' he said, paraphrasing a quote from the South African palaeontologist Phillip Tobias. For now, those hoping to glimpse the original Little Foot will have to wait for heritage month in September. The skeleton, which took two decades to excavate and assemble, is only displayed on special occasions. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
Mail & Guardian
21-04-2025
- Science
- Mail & Guardian
Sterkfontein Caves reopened after safety upgrades
The Elephant Chamber is one of the main chambers within the Sterkfontein Caves, known for its significant role in paleontological discoveries, including the discovery of hominid fossils. (Umamah Bakharia/M&G) After a two-year closure prompted by safety concerns and conservation efforts, the Sterkfontein Caves—one of South Africa's most celebrated paleoanthropological sites—have officially reopened to the public, the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) has announced. Located within the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site in Gauteng, the caves have yielded some of the most significant fossil discoveries related to human evolution, including the iconic Australopithecus africanus specimens 'Mrs Ples' and 'Little Foot.' The finds have cemented South Africa's role as a central player in the field of human origins research. The site was closed in early 2023 following safety assessments by Wits University's occupational and safety directorate. The decision came after heavy rainfall in December 2022 saturated soil layers above the cave system, causing destabilisation and increasing the risk of collapse. 'There were some earth movements, so we put in some sensors and monitored it,' said Professor Nithaya Chetty, Dean of the Faculty of Science at Wits. 'We found areas that needed reinforcement and made the decision to close. We have since conducted several tests, and the cave is now safe.' It was the first public closure in the site's history. The caves now boast refurbished pathways, improved lighting, and enhanced visitor infrastructure. A new interpretive centre is also under development. Chetty said the upgrades reflect a broader commitment to preserving the site's integrity while expanding its educational and scientific potential. 'With a lot of care, attention to detail and scientific advancements, we can preserve the site for many more years to come, just like the site has been preserved for millions of years,' he said. Among the new advancements is the adoption of artificial intelligence to accelerate fossil discovery and analysis. Traditionally, researchers excavated fossils manually—a painstaking process involving delicate chiselling and brushing. Now, AI tools allow scientists to scan blocks of rock using X-ray technology, offering insight into the fossil's contents before excavation begins. 'This saves us years of extracting and lab processing,' Chetty said. 'It will advance science.' The Sterkfontein Caves are part of a dolomitic system estimated to have formed 20 to 30 million years ago, with over 2.5 kilometres of mapped underground chambers. The unique mineral composition, including calcium carbonate deposited by dripping water, aids in the rare preservation of fossils. The site has produced more than 700 hominid fossil specimens, making it one of the richest early human fossil sites globally. 'Little Foot,' excavated between 1994 and 1998 by Ron Clarke and a team including Nkwane Molefe and Stephen Motsumi, is considered one of the most complete hominid skeletons ever found, dating back 3.67 million years. Today, Molefe's son, researcher Itumeleng Molefe, continues the legacy. Working in the 'Elephant Chamber,' named for its towering dolomite formations, he described the meticulous nature of the work. 'We sweep the area with a brush and take out the rocks,' he said. 'When we see something interesting, we put it aside, clean it up and send it to the lab for inspection. But it's not every day that we find something—maybe once every two weeks or even once a month. It takes time.' While the scientific significance of the site is globally recognised, local economic and environmental considerations remain critical. Tourism is a vital economic driver for the region, but community members in nearby Mogale City have long called for more inclusive development strategies. Some local guides say they hope the reopening will create more jobs and skills development opportunities. 'It's not just about people coming to see rocks and bones,' said Trevor Buthelezi, a local guide. 'It's about telling stories, passing on knowledge, and making sure young people from here know what lies beneath their feet.' To balance preservation with access, the revamped management plan includes caps on daily visitor numbers and an expanded digital presence. Plans include 3D virtual cave tours aimed at schools across South Africa, allowing students to engage with the site without compromising its fragile environment. The Sterkfontein Caves remain under the sole custodianship of Wits University.
