Fossil mammals from the Gondolin Dump A ex situ hominin deposits, South Africa

A comprehensive analysis of fossil mammals from the Gondolin Dump A ex situ hominin deposits, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa,' reveals a diverse faunal record that includes four novel mammal groups not previously documented in the region. The study processed 15,250 fossil specimens from calcified sediment blocks and naturally decalcified sediments, uncovering representatives from families such as Cercopithecidae, Felidae, Herpestidae, and Giraffidae. While the research clarifies the geological context of the ex situ deposits, it highlights the limitations imposed by the heterogeneous nature of the dump, which aggregates materials from across the Gondolin sedimentary deposits. This study underscores the ongoing challenges posed by mining-mediated obliteration of palaeokarstic deposits, obstructing clear associations between the hominins and in situ samples.

Adams, J. W. (2018). Fossil mammals from the Gondolin Dump A ex situ hominin deposits, South Africa. PeerJ, 6, e5393. Portico. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5393