Klasies River Caves, Archaeological cave system in Eastern Cape, South Africa
Klasies River Caves is a cave system on the Tsitsikamma coast in eastern South Africa, consisting of several connected chambers. The spaces are filled with thick layers of shell deposits and sediment that preserve traces of human settlement.
The system was first systematically explored in 1967, when archaeologists found stone tools and human remains over 100,000 years old. The excavations revealed how people inhabited this coastal area over extended periods.
The caves show traces of people who lived and hunted here thousands of years ago. Shell remains and animal bones scattered throughout reveal how inhabitants gathered their food.
Access is on foot via coastal trails that lead to the entrance while offering views of the surrounding landscape. The best time to explore is during dry conditions, as moisture in the caves is common.
The cave layers reveal an almost continuous history of human presence stretching back about 50,000 years. This continuity shows how people returned to the same place repeatedly across countless generations.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
