- Motsetsi
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Motsetse Fossil Site, Cradle of Humankind Location in Gauteng
Location Gauteng, South Africa Nearest city Krugersdorp, South Africa Coordinates 25°54′30″S 27°49′57″E / 25.90833°S 27.8325°ECoordinates: 25°54′30″S 27°49′57″E / 25.90833°S 27.8325°E Area less than 100 m Established Incorporated into the Cradle of Humankind1999 Governing body Cradle of Humankind and Private Landowner Contents
Geographical Location
Motsetsi Cave (also known as Motsetse) is a fossil-bearing breccia filled cavity located about 14 km East of the well known South African hominid-bearing sites of Sterkfontein and Kromdraai and about 45 km North-Northwest of the City of Johannesburg, South Africa.
History of Investigations
Motsetsi has been investigated since its discovery by Lee Berger in 1999[1]. Since then a series of part-time excavations have recovered tens of thousands of fossils. Excavations have been conducted at Motsetse by the University of the Witwatersrand and at times in conjunction with Peter Schmid of the University of Zurich. Only a very small part of this site has been excavated[1].
Recovered Fossils
Of the many thousands of fossils recovered from Motsetsi, as of yet, no hominid fossils have been found.
Swiss students digging in the main excavation at Motsetse Cave. Dr. Peter Schmid, long-time collaborator is in the foreground.
Many very fine fossils of other animals, however, have been discovered including the remains of very well preserved Dinofelis fossils - a type of false saber-toothed cat[2].
Geology
Motsetse is a series of breccia-filled dolomitic caves that formed in a fissure along a geological fault.
An image of Motsetse showing the various deposits.Age of the deposits
Motsetsi has been dated to 1.o to 1.6 million years old based on the animals recovered[2].
Other Related Links
Hominids
References
External links
Categories:- Archaeological sites in South Africa
- Pliocene
- Caves of South Africa
- Limestone caves
- Geography of South Africa
- Gauteng
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