The world-renowned Wits Sterkfontein Caves reopened to the public on April 15. This development is said to mark a new chapter for one of humanity’s most important palaeoantological sites, as it transitions to full management under Wits University.
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Importance of the site
Located within the Cradle of Humankind Unesco World Heritage Site, the Sterkfontein Caves have yielded some of the most important hominin fossil discoveries, including the iconic ‘Mrs Ples’ (1947) and ‘Little Foot’ (1997), in addition to the hundreds of other fossils of human relatives. These discoveries have been crucial to informing the global understanding of human evolution and the origins of humanity.
New research and educational experience
Whilst previously serving primarily as a tourist destination, attracting thousands of international and local visitors, the reimagined Wits Sterkfontein Caves will offer a more immersive research and educational experience, bringing visitors closer to the science that has defined the site for nearly 100 years.
“This reopening represents a significant evolution in how we share the story of human origins,” said professor Nithaya Chetty, dean of the Wits Faculty of Science. “Visitors now have unique opportunities to engage with active live science and research, all happening in real time.”
Under the new management structure, Dr Job Kibii will serve as the head of the Wits Sterkfontein Caves, overseeing daily operations and visitor experiences, while professor Dominic Stratford will continue to lead research activities as the research permit holder.
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Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, principal and vice-chancellor of Wits University, says: “The reopening of the Wits Sterkfontein Caves represents an exciting opportunity to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and the public’s understanding of science. By making science more accessible, we hope to inspire the next generation of researchers, while helping everyone connect more deeply with our shared human story.”
Importance of the caves
Since taking over the management of the Sterkfontein site in 1966, Wits University’s researchers have made countless contributions to the study of human evolution. The university houses the world’s largest repository of hominin fossils, many of which were discovered in the Wits Sterkfontein Caves.
The limestone caves, formed many millions of years ago, have preserved critical evidence of our relatives, as their remains fell into the deep caves through tall, narrow shafts. For more than three million years, the remains of hominins, and many other animals living on the Cradle of Humankind landscape, have accumulated underground in huge deposits, creating a fossil record spanning several million years of human evolution.
The Wits Sterkfontein Caves hold exceptional universal value, which led to their designation as part of the Cradle of Humankind Unesco World Heritage Site in 1999. Their scientific importance cannot be overstated, as they continue to yield new discoveries that shape our understanding of who we are and where we come from. The management, researchers, and tour facilitators of the Wits Sterkfontein Caves will continue to work closely with the Cradle of Humankind Management Authority and the South African Heritage Resources Agency to ensure the proper preservation of the site.
The opening of the Wits Sterkfontein Caves aligns with Wits University’s commitment to excellence in research and education, building on the legacy of prominent Wits palaeoanthropologists like the late professor Phillip Tobias and professor Ronald Clarke, whose work at the Wits Sterkfontein Caves fundamentally advanced our understanding of human origins.
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