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South Africa

Makapansgat

Palaeontological site with Australopithecus fossils

Time Periods

Paleolithic

Paleolithic

Mesolithic

Mesolithic

Neolithic

Neolithic

Chalcolithic

Chalcolithic

Bronze Age

Bronze Age

Iron Age

Iron Age

Classical Period

Classical Period

Post-Classical Period

Post-Classical Period

Early Modern Period

Early Modern Period

Industrial Period

Industrial Period

Contemporary Period

Contemporary Period

Location

About

Makapansgat is a significant archaeological and palaeontological site located in the Makapansgat Valley, South Africa. Known for its rich deposits of Australopithecus fossils, the site provides critical insights into early hominin life, dating back to approximately 3 million years ago. Among its remarkable attributes are the limeworks that yielded thousands of fossilized remains, and the Cave of Hearths, which documents a continuous human occupation from the Early Stone Age through the Iron Age. The site is unique for its stratified evidence of human activity, including ancient hearths and terraces, and it marks a notable historical event in the 19th century involving the Boer siege of Chief Makapan. As part of the Cradle of Humankind, Makapansgat is vital for understanding human evolution and prehistoric culture in Africa.

Gallery

Explore photographs of ancient structures, artifacts, and archaeological excavations at Makapansgat

FileMrs_Ples.jpg
FilePotgietersrus_South_Africa_-_panoramio_15.jpg
FilePotgietersrus_South_Africa_-_panoramio_2.jpg

Archaeological Features

Explore the unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

Industrial and Craft Structures

Workshops

Agricultural and Land Use Features

Terraces

Domestic and Habitation Structures

Caves

Environmental and Natural Features

Rock SheltersModified Caves

Food Production and Processing Features

Hearths

Historical Timeline

Journey through time and discover key events in this site's archaeological history

Plan Your Visit

Details

Country
South Africa
Source
Wikipedia