Short history of archaeology in South Africa
Not just a pretty face! SA has certainly made some huge contributions to the world of science and archaeology.
A new species of the human relative, Homo naledi, has enough human-like features to warrant placing it in the Homo genus. This discovery was made in Maropeng, and revealed to the world today. We take a further look into SouthAfrica’s previous highlights in and around the Sterkfontein caves, and other parts of the country:
1858 – The Bowker brothers came to South Africa from England with the 1820 settlers. In 1858 they collect some of the first stone artefacts from the Great Fish River area in the Eastern Cape. Curiosity around these artefacts drove the development of archaeology.
1870 – All of these finds are attributed to the San people who are recognised as the original, ancient inhabitants of this area. Archaeology becomes recognised as a field of study by Langham Dale, who was instrumental in establishing the University of the Cape of Good Hope in June,1873 (Dale College Boys’ High School in King William’s Town was named after him).
1925 – The first fossil of a child from Taung, Northern Cape, is discovered. The fossil was described as australopithecine pre-human ancestor.
More of these were found in 1936 at the Sterkfontein caves, located west of Joburg, including Mrs. Ples – the most complete skull of an Australopithecus africanus ever found in South Africa.
Studies have shown that our pre-human ancestors in fact evolved in Africa, and not in Europe as initially thought.
Highlights from events and discoveries made at the Sterkfontein caves, located in Maropeng or as it is officially known: The Cradle of Humankind:
– Mrs Ples returns to Maropeng after eight years
– A treasure trove of fossil finds
– Maropeng receives prestigious status
– Cradle’s visitor centre awarded
