The caves that changed history are open again—with more secrets to tell
After two years of closure due to flood damage, the legendary Sterkfontein Caves have reopened—and they’re more than just a window to the past. Thanks to Wits University and its visionary researchers, the site is now a working laboratory, unlocking secrets of early human evolution in real time.
Located in the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sterkfontein caves are home to world-famous fossil finds like Mrs Ples and Little Foot. But according to Professor Dominic Stratford, director of research at Sterkfontein, that’s just the beginning.
“People often ask if there are still fossils to find—and we’ve really just scratched the surface,” he says. “We’ve only mapped around five kilometers of passages, and every chamber holds potential.”
New Discoveries to uncover at the Sterkfontein Caves
Stratford highlights key discoveries that cemented South Africa’s place in paleoanthropology, including the 1936 adult Australopithecus find by Robert Broom, and the 1947 discovery of Mrs Ples, which reignited global interest in the region. Later came Little Foot, the most complete early hominin skeleton ever found in Southern Africa.
In 2022, heavy rains caused structural concerns near the cave entrance, prompting a careful closure. Cutting-edge laser scanning and structural assessments followed, ensuring safety without compromising the fragile site. Now, with new technology enhancing fossil analysis—revealing details like age, diet, and growth—the reopened Sterkfontein caves are offering up a fresh narrative about our ancient relatives.
“This is where I work—it’s my playground,” Stratford smiles. “Every bone has a better story to tell now.”
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Final Thoughts
The caves are situated approximately 50km North West of Johannesburg and are open Tuesdays to Sundays (Closed Mondays) from 9am to 4pm. For more information visit the Sterkfontein Caves website. Tune in to Hot 102.7 FM for news and updates on the current affairs happening within the local environment.
Listen to Prof Dominic Stratford below:
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