Fossil Site Exploration @ Cooper's Cave

The tag line to her Wits University staff web page is "Pinch me, am I dreaming?" and for a paleontologist from Chicago, it is indeed a dream come true. Heck, it's my dream come true!

evolution

American-born Dr. Christine Steininger is the Project Director and Permit Holder for Cooper's Cave within the Cradle of Humankind. Cooper's Cave is a 1.5 million year old early hominin fossil site which may turn out to be the richest deposit in the richest deposit site on earth. Hominin fossils, stone tools and a great diversity of animal fossils have been discovered at the site already and it has hardly been tapped.

It was a very interactive talk with lots of audience participation

Dr. Steininger was studying biological anthropology in Illinois when she took a field study trip to South Africa. That led her to move to South Africa shortly thereafter where she earned a Master's and PhD. from the University of Witwatersrand or Wits. Darn, my college anthropology class went to Guatemala. Otherwise that could have been me!

Our morning with Dr. Steininger began at the visitor's center at the Sterkfontien Caves in the Cradle of Humankind. After an easy walk from Sterkfontein to Cooper's Cave, we sat on blankets for about an hour and listened as Dr. Steininger transported us back in time, explaining the evolution of man, how the landscape, vegetation, mammals and humans have changed over millions of years, and what the change agents were.

We heard about the discovery of the cave by miners during the Gauteng gold rush and the realization of its archaeological importance.

Then we were let loose to explore Cooper's Cave on our own.













Next stop, Cooper's D, a huge fissure that contains tons of exposed fossils from mammals, shellfish and plants as well as embedded artifacts such as tools.

the fissure was deep

We were able to walk in the fissure and examine the fossils and artifacts up close.

look! bones

We could touch but not remove anything.

talk about a handprint in cement. how 'bout handbones?

Best part of the tour was finding out that from time to time Dr. Steininger needs help with the excavations and will reach out for volunteers. Where do I sign up?!