“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.”

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 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.”

The caves are situated approximately 50km northwest of Johannesburg and are open Tuesdays to Sundays (Closed Mondays) from 9am to 4pm. For more information visit the Sterkfontein Caves website.