Klasies River Main Site
Klasies River
South Africa · Eastern Cape
In brief
The main site on the Tsitsikamma coast consists of two caves and three rock shelters. Archaeological deposits approximately 20 metres thick document early Homo sapiens communities' use of coastal resources and their ways of life.
What was found?
- 1Homo sapiens fossils
Excavations have uncovered numerous fossils of early modern humans. They allow human body structure to be investigated together with traces of life in the same layers.
- 2Stone tools
Stone tools have been found in different layers of the settlement. They are fundamental evidence for studying Middle Stone Age technology and changes over time.
- 3Shell deposits
There are dense deposits left by shellfish consumed as food. They document the role of coastal resources in human subsistence.
- 4Animal bones
Animal bones and other animal remains have been preserved in the layers. They help researchers investigate both human activities and the ancient environment.
What does it point to?
Klasies River is a site where early Homo sapiens communities gathered food along the coast and returned repeatedly. Its thick sequence of layers offers an opportunity to study human life alongside changing climate, sea level and environmental conditions.
What did it teach us?
- It documented early Homo sapiens fossils in the same archaeological record as stone tools and food remains.
- It showed that shellfish formed part of the diet of Middle Stone Age people.
- It revealed that repeated visits and environmental changes could be traced within a long sequence of layers.
Record
- Culture
- Middle Stone Age traditions, including Howiesons Poort
- First modern dig
- 1967
- Team / historical
- Sarah Wurz; University of the Witwatersrand ve SapienCE
- Coordinates
- -34.1082°, 24.3905°
Sources
Nearby excavations
- Pinnacle Point Caves 212 km
- Blombos Cave 293 km
- Diepkloof Rock Shelter 584 km
- Wonderwerk Cave 701 km
- Sibhudu Cave 812 km
- Sterkfontein Caves 955 km
- —
- —
- 12.000
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