Fragment of a tool
Digital News Report- Stone tools have been found at the bottom level of the Wonderwerk Cave in South Africa that are believed to be 2 million years old. This is the earliest evidence of our cave-dwelling human ancestors. A research team led by Professor Michael Chazan, director of the University of Toronto’s Archaelogy Centre, found the discovery.
Both Paleomagnetic Dating and Cosmogenic Burial Age were used to determine the age of the layer of soil that the tools were found in. Geological evidence indicates that these tools were left in the cave and not washed into the site from the outside world. Though many species of hominids lived in southern Africa 2 million years ago, these tools were most likely manufactured by Homo habilis.
Excavation of the cave began in the 1940’s when farmers dug up large parts of the cave to use for fertilizer. The site is a South African National Heritage site due to the discoveries found within it.
The cave is also home to bushman paintings dating back to 10,000 years. The paintings are made from plant roots and blood.
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