Swartkrans, Archaeological site in Gauteng, South Africa
Swartkrans is an archaeological site featuring limestone caves that hold multiple layers of fossilized remains. The excavated areas reveal how different geological periods are stacked, showing evidence of early human ancestors and animals that inhabited the region.
The site was first recognized in the 1930s and later became the focus of systematic excavation, uncovering remains spanning several million years. These discoveries shifted understanding of where early human relatives developed and survived.
The name comes from the black crane antelope that once roamed this region. Today, visitors sense how this place connects human origins with the natural world that surrounded our ancestors.
The site is located in an area with several other archaeological attractions that can be visited together. It helps to check opening times and seasonal conditions before planning a visit to make the most of your time there.
One of the most remarkable finds was a fossilized foot bone showing the earliest known trace of a bone disease that still affects people today. This single discovery revealed that certain illnesses afflicted our most distant ancestors.
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