A cluster of caves in the cradle of humankind:- the story of Little Foot
The cradle of humankind world heritage site was declared due to the rich fossil heritage found therein.
It is a predominantly dolomite area and so far approximately 180 square miles has been included in the protected area.
Very many interesting finds have been made in the caves found within the cradle.
There is a particularly productive cluster of caves found within a 1.25 Km radius of each other that have produced very significant and famous finds.
Below is a google earth image that I have plotted these caves on for reference purposes.
In the north is sterkfontein caves
By english Wikipedia user , CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Sterkfontein is the gift that keeps on giving.
It was mined for limestone since the 1890’s but in 1947 Mrs. Ples was discovered.
By José Braga; Didier Descouens , CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
Current excavations are ongoing in the Silderberg Grotto
By Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
The big fuss in the grotto is all about a fossil named little foot
Little foot was discovered when Prof Ronald Clarke was rummaging through some of boxes of bones and found the bones pictured below
By Tobias Fluegel , CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
By Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
As you can see the shin bone is broken off above the ankle. A search was made to find where it was broken off from and that lead to the discovery of a relatively complete skeleton embedded in the solid rock. It has taken many years to extricate parts of this skeleton for further study without damaging it.
This is a chunk that has recently been removed. Pictured with Prof Ronald Clarke
Also in the mix is a very well preserved arm and hand
Great Post very informative, especially for someone, who's total studies on this, have been based on the Jurassic Park Movie Series!
Little foot is anywhere between 3 million to 3.5 million years old, making this the oldest hominoid ever found in South Africa. It is kind of humbling to think that Little Foot's acestors found their long lost relative and know who he (or she) is.
Jup its quite a story
This is truly fascinating, and I don't mean to take away from that at all, but the skull Ronald Clarke is holding looks a lot like the Grinch. I suppose I just have Christmas on the brain. :)
Now that you mention it, agreed... lol