Proterozoic 40Ar/39Ar ages from cave deposits of the Malapa, Sterkfontein and Dinaledi fossil sites, Cradle of Humankind, South Africa

A groundbreaking study reveals that cave sediments from the Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa, including Malapa, Sterkfontein, and Dinaledi, contain Proterozoic-aged manganese ooids, peloids, and indurated mudstone fragments. These materials, with apparent ages ranging from 476 ± 13 Ma to 2096 ± 13 Ma, are not directly linked to cave formation processes but provide critical insights into the origin of the sediments. The findings suggest that these components were derived from higher stratigraphic levels of the Transvaal Supergroup, trapped in karst features over time and later washed into the caves. This research challenges previous assumptions about sediment provenance and offers a new perspective on the geological history of these UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Makhubela, T. V., Kramers, J. D., Belyanin, G. A., Dirks, P. H. G. M., & Roberts, E. M. (2017). Proterozoic 40Ar/39Ar ages from cave deposits of the Malapa, Sterkfontein and Dinaledi fossil sites, Cradle of Humankind, South Africa. South African Journal of Geology, 120(1), 21–44. https://doi.org/10.25131/gssajg.120.1.21