Wonderwerk Cave: Early Human Ancestors & Fire Discovery

Over a million years earlier, among our old ancestors took a burning stick from a wildfire and brought it into a dark collapse South Africa. Light danced on the wall surfaces as our hominin forefather (Homo Erectus, that is, not quite contemporary human beings just yet) positioned the burning stick on a stack of branches, which rupture into fires. Or at the very least, this is the scene we may envision based upon evidence discovered in Wonderwerk Cavern.

The Dawn of Fire Mastery

Mastering fire enabled our great-great-great- (add about 40,000 more greats) grandparents to remain warm, light up the evening, and keep killers at bay. The advancement of fire and its influence on early diet regimens is likewise thought to have played a significant function in raising brain size amongst our very early human forefathers over the next half-million years.

Culinary History in Wonderwerk Cavern

Wonderwerk Cavern traces this early culinary history. Inside the 456-foot-long (139-meter) tooth cavity, signs of old fires recommend individuals prepared food below about a million years earlier. Buried deep in the rock, archeologists and scientists discovered the ashy, scorched remains of lawns, leaves, and animal bones. This discovery places as a few of the earliest proof of regulated fire.

Visiting Wonderwerk Cave

Wonderwerk Cave lies 43 km south of Kuruman on the R31. Gain access to is by directed tour just (publication with the McGregor Museum, +27 (0 )53 839 2700). Photography is permitted without flash; touching rock art or excavation areas is restricted.

Over a million years back, one of our ancient forefathers took a burning stick from a wildfire and brought it into a dark cave in South Africa. Or at least, this is the scene we could picture based on evidence discovered in Wonderwerk Cavern.

Wonderwerk Cavern exists 43 kilometres south of Kuruman on the R31.