Second biggest archaeological discovery of the century at Sterkfontein

Updated: 30 Sep 2019

One of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century was documented in the South African Journal of Science on this date. Dr Ron Clark of the palaeo-anthropological research institute of the University of the Witwatersrand discovered the petrified skeleton of a 3,5 million year old hominid (ape-man) in the Sterkfontein Caves near Krugersdorp. The near-complete skeleton, belonging to the Australopithecus species, is 1.22 metre tall. Australopithecus preceded the genus Homo, to which we belong. Scientists believed the find to be the most significant since the discovery in 1924 of a skull belonging to the so-called Taung child, also in the Sterkfontein caves. Sterkfontein was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000. The area in which it is situated, was named the Cradle of Humankind.

How we know this

01Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Second biggest archaeological discovery of the century at Sterkfontein. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013407

South African History Online (2011) 'Second biggest archaeological discovery of the century at Sterkfontein', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013407 (Accessed: 9 November 2026).

South African History Online, Second biggest archaeological discovery of the century at Sterkfontein [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013407, (accessed 9 November 2026).

"Second biggest archaeological discovery of the century at Sterkfontein." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013407. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

South African History Online. "Second biggest archaeological discovery of the century at Sterkfontein." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013407.