Sterkfontein Caves reopened after safety upgrades

After a two-year closure over safety concerns and for conservation efforts, the Sterkfontein Caves — one of South Africa’s most celebrated paleoanthropological sites — have reopened to the public, the University of the Witwatersrand recently announced.

- Umamah Bakharia

Located in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site in Gauteng, the caves, which remain under the sole custodianship of the university, have yielded some of the most significant fossil discoveries related to human evolution, including Australopithecus africanus specimens “Mrs Ples” and “Little Foot”.

The finds have cemented South Africa’s role as a central player in the field of human origins research.

The site was closed in early 2023 after heavy rainfall in December 2022 saturated soil layers above the cave system, causing destabilisation and increasing the risk of collapse. It was the first public closure in the site’s history.

The caves now have refurbished pathways and improved lighting. A new interpretive centre is also under development.