Traces of Africa

A new hominid species has been unearthed in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, 40km from Johannesburg, by a Wits University-led team.

Fossils of a young male and adult female were found together in a deep cave. The hominid species, named Australopithecus sediba (meaning ‘spring’), is almost two million years old, and may be a transitional species between the southern African ape-man Australopithecus africanus (like the Taung Child and Mrs. Ples) and Homo habilis and are absolutely unique from any fossil species found.

The species has long arms, like an ape, short powerful hands, a very advanced pelvis (hip bone) and long legs capable of striding and possibly running like a human. It is likely that they could have climbed trees.

At the launch, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said government had “a sense of awe and pride” in the find and described the skeletons as “time travellers who are able to speak to us from the past”.
Traces of Africa offers a scheduled tour to the Cradle of Humankind every Sunday. It includes visits to Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves.

This is your opportunity to go via the time-machine back to our origins in the distant past and realise the amazing abilities with which a human being has been equipped to adapt to his challenging environment.