Blombos Cave – An Archaeological Site in South Africa

The Blombos Cave is an archaeological site located in Blombos Private Nature Reserve, about 300 km east of Cape Town on the Southern Cape coastline, South Africa. Blombos Cave was first excavated in 1991 and field work has been conducted there on numerous occasions since then.

The Blombos Cave was occupied by hunter-gatherers from about 100,000 years ago. Blombos Cave contains the Middle Stone Age levels that show some of the earliest evidence for modern human behavior in southern Africa. Blombos Cave was first excavated in 1991 and field work has been conducted there on numerous occasions since then.

 

Blombos Cave was occupied by hunter-gatherers from about 100,000 years ago. Blombos Cave contains the Middle Stone Age levels that show some of the earliest evidence for modern human behavior in southern Africa. 

Blombos Cave was originally interpreted as having been inhabited solely by anatomically modern humans, but excavations in 2004 and 2009 extended the record of occupation back to about 105 ka BP making Blombos Cave one of the earliest sites of modern human presence in Africa, if not the world. Blombos Cave is currently one of the oldest well-dated open-air Middle Stone Age sites in southern Africa.

Frequently Asked Questions About Blombos Cave

Who discovered Blombos Cave and when was it found? 

Blombos Cave was first discovered in 1991 by archaeologist Christopher Henshilwood and his team.

What’s the coolest thing about Blombos Cave? 

The coolest thing about Blombos Cave is that it contains some of the oldest evidence of human creativity and culture. Among the artifacts found in the cave areShell beads dating back to 71,000 years ago, which suggests that early humans were already engaging in symbolic thinking and communication. This makes Blombos Cave one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, as it helps us to understand the origins of human culture and creativity.

Which other World Heritage Site is nearby Blombos cave?

There are many other World Heritage Sites in the vicinity of Blombos cave, including the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Area, Cradle of Humankind, Cape Floral Region Protected Areas, and others.

Tell me more about the Stone Age people that lived in Blombos cave!

The people that lived in Blombos cave were hunter-gatherers who lived there around 71,000 years ago.

They were some of the earliest people to develop a form of abstract thought, and some of the first humans to create art. They left behind a variety of artifacts, including pieces of jewelry made from ostrich eggshells and red ochre.

Their culture was very primitive, but they were still able to create complex tools and weapons from stone. They also hunted and ate a variety of animals, including giraffes, elephants, and hippopotamuses.

 

Image Information: By Vincent Mourre / Inrap – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link