Publications
Regional geological formation and speleogenesis of the ‘Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa’ UNESCO World Heritage Site
A critical gap in understanding the geological and geomorphological processes shaping South Africa's Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa (The Cradle of Humankind), a UNESCO World Heritage Area, has been identified. The study reveals that while the region is renowned for its hominin fossil discoveries, there is a lack of comparative analyses of regional speleogenesis—karst formation linked to underlying geology—and its implications for palaeoanthropological and archaeological records. To address this, researchers synthesized stratigraphic and geomorphological histories, providing a foundational geological framework that integrates previously disconnected data. This approach aims to bridge the gap between large-scale regional studies and local-scale karst processes, offering new insights into the complex interactions that have preserved hominin fossils over millennia.
The first hominin from the early Pleistocene paleocave of Haasgat, South Africa
Researchers have identified the first hominin fossil from Haasgat, a paleocave within the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa.' The discovery, a partial maxillary molar (HGT 500), dates to approximately 1.95 million years ago and provides critical insight into the transition period in early Pleistocene South Africa, marking the last occurrence of Australopithecus and the emergence of Paranthropus and Homo. Morphological analysis, including micro-CT scans and microscopy, suggests the molar aligns with either late-occurring Australopithecus or early Homo, excluding Paranthropus. This finding underscores Haasgat's significance for understanding hominin evolution and interactions within distinct northern ecosystems, contrasting with better-studied southern sites.
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