Dragon’s Breath Cave (Bone-Cave), Namibia

At Dragon’s Breath Cave, in Namibia, scientists found the fossilized remains of what they believe is a previously unknown species of hominid.

The researchers who made this discovery say that they think these bones were placed there intentionally some 60,000 years ago.

According to one researcher at Dragon’s Breath Cave, “This new species doesn’t look anything like Homo sapiens, Neanderthal, or any other hominid we’ve ever seen. It’s pretty exciting.”

The Dragon’s Breath Cave was discovered in 1946 by a farmer named Jacobus Greeff. The entrance was hidden underneath sand dunes until the wind started to uncover it. He told his friend Marthinus Theyse about his discovery. That same year a team of paleontologists from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg were carrying out preliminary tests on fossils they found in Wonderwerk Cave when they heard news from Greeff and Theyse about Dragon’s Breath cave. 

In 1948 Dragon’s Breath Cave was excavated by L.S Broom, a well known paleontologist from the University of Witwatersrand. Dragon’s Breath cave turned out to have many fossils but they were not as old as those found in Wonderwerk Cave so research was abandoned until 1994 when a collaboration between scientists from several universities decided to take another look at Dragon’s Breath Cave and the findings from Wonderwerk cave. Dragon’s Breath Cave has yielded the remains of over 20 ancient hominids. The ages of these fossils range from 60,000 years ago to 2 million years ago which is a large gap in time. 

Dragon’s Breath Cave has been classified as a “bone-cave” because of all the bone fragments that have been found there. Dragon’s Breath Cave is located in a desert which would make sense because plants and wood wouldn’t be available to make fires for cooking and warmth. Dragon’s Breath Cave also has extremely hard rock walls that protect the fossils inside from erosion.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dragon’s Breath Cave

What was your favorite part of the Dragon’s Breath cave tour?

It was really amazing to see the different cave formations and learn about how the caves were formed. It was also really cool to see the underground river and the bats!

Do you think Dragon’s Breath Cave is worth the drive?

Dragon’s Breath Cave is definitely worth the drive! The cave is located in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, and it’s a place where you can really connect with nature. The cave has a beautiful underground stream that flows through it, and there are plenty of opportunities for hiking and camping in the area. I highly recommend making a trip to Dragon’s Breath Cave if you’re looking for a natural escape!

What kind of things can you find in the Dragon’s Breath cave? 

The Dragon’s Breath Cave is a geological wonder containing a variety of interesting rock formations and crystal deposits. It’s also home to a wide variety of animal life, including bats, spiders, snakes, and scorpions. Cavers who explore the cave often find themselves marveling at the beauty and mystery of this natural wonder.

Would you recommend other people visit the Dragon’s Breath cave?

Yes, I definitely recommend other people visit the Dragon’s Breath cave! It’s an amazing experience and well worth the trip. Just be sure to heed the warnings and stay safe while exploring!

 

Image Information: By Des Fourie – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link