Border Cave – A Rock Shelter in South Africa
Border Cave is a rock shelter on the western scarp of the Lebombo Mountains in KwaZulu-Natal near the border between South Africa and Eswatini. It has yielded some of the oldest human remains in southern Africa, including bones and artifacts dated to approximately 44,000 years ago.
The cave is also significant for its evidence of early human behavioral patterns, including the use of fire and the manufacture of stone tools. Border Cave is open to the public for tours led by trained guides.
The Border Cave is one of the most important prehistoric sites in southern Africa. The cave has yielded a wealth of information about early human behavior and the environment in which our ancestors lived. It is open to the public for tours led by trained guides. Visit Border Cave to learn more about our shared humanity and the fascinating story of human evolution.
Frequently Asked Questions About Border Cave
Who discovered Border Cave?
It was discovered in 1940 by a Belgian man named J.J. Vercoutere.
What was the first human species to use Border Cave?
Homo heidelbergensis. They were the first species to use it around 250,000 years ago.
What artifacts have been found in the Border cave?
The Border Cave is a prehistoric rock shelter in the Lebombo Mountains of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It has been occupied by humans since at least 400,000 years ago.
The cave contains some of the oldest known examples of art in the world, including engraved figures of animals and human footprints. Stone tools and other artifacts found in the cave suggest that its inhabitants were hunter-gatherers who lived off the wildlife in the area.
Why is Border Cave so significant?
Border Cave is significant because it is one of the oldest and most complete prehistoric sites in Africa. It has been occupied by humans for over 200,000 years and contains evidence of human activity dating back to the Middle Stone Age.
The cave was first excavated in the 1920s and 1930s by a team led by Cecil John Rhodes Wheeler, who established it as one of the key sites for understanding the origins of modern human behavior. Since then, it has been extensively studied by archaeologists and scholars from around the world, and has provided valuable insights into the early history of humanity.
Image Information: By Androstachys – Own work, Public Domain, Link
