The Fossils of Sterkfontein Caves
Mrs Ples, Little Foot, and nearly a century of excavation — the story of how Sterkfontein became the richest early-hominin fossil site on Earth.
Sterkfontein's fame rests on two extraordinary fossil discoveries — "Mrs Ples" in 1947 and "Little Foot" pieced together between 1994 and 1997 — found within the same cave system that visitors walk through today. This guide traces both discoveries and explains why the Cradle of Humankind matters so much to the study of human origins.
Who discovered Mrs Ples, and why does it matter?
In 1947, palaeontologist Robert Broom uncovered a remarkably complete skull at Sterkfontein — nicknamed "Mrs Ples" — identified as Australopithecus africanus and dated to around 2.1 million years old. Its completeness made it one of the most important fossil finds in Africa at the time, offering rare, detailed evidence of an early hominin's skull structure.
Broom's discovery helped establish Sterkfontein's reputation as a major fossil site and set the stage for decades of further excavation that would eventually uncover even more significant finds.
What is Little Foot, and why is it so significant?
Between 1994 and 1997, a team led by Ronald Clarke identified and painstakingly excavated "Little Foot" — a near-complete skeleton of Australopithecus prometheus found deep within the Sterkfontein cave system. Later cosmogenic dating placed the skeleton at approximately 3.67 million years old.
Little Foot is recognised as the most complete early-hominin skeleton ever recovered anywhere in the world, giving researchers an unprecedented look at the skull, spine, limbs and feet of a single individual from millions of years ago — evidence that has directly informed scientific understanding of how and when early hominins began walking upright.
Why is the Cradle of Humankind a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
UNESCO inscribed the Cradle of Humankind in 1999, under the listing "Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa," recognising the exceptional density and scientific value of the fossils recovered across its cluster of caves. Sterkfontein is the most extensively excavated of these sites, responsible for roughly a third of all early hominin fossils found globally.
The designation reflects not just individual famous fossils like Mrs Ples and Little Foot, but the cumulative scientific record built up across nearly a century of continuous excavation — a record that continues to grow, as researchers are still working in the fossil preparation laboratory today.
What does ongoing research at Sterkfontein involve?
Excavation at Sterkfontein has never really stopped since Robert Broom's era — researchers continue to study previously excavated material and work through new finds in the on-site fossil preparation laboratory, which visitors can see as part of their ticket. Recent dating studies, including refined analysis of Little Foot's age, show the site remains scientifically active rather than a closed historical dig.
This ongoing work is part of what distinguishes a Sterkfontein visit from many other historical attractions — the story is, quite literally, still being written.
Frequently asked
When was Mrs Ples found?
Robert Broom discovered the Mrs Ples skull at Sterkfontein in 1947. It is an Australopithecus africanus specimen dated to around 2.1 million years old.
When was Little Foot found?
Little Foot was identified and excavated between 1994 and 1997 by a team led by Ronald Clarke, and later dated to approximately 3.67 million years old — the most complete early-hominin skeleton ever found.
Why is Sterkfontein called the Cradle of Humankind?
Sterkfontein sits within the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1999 recognising the exceptional concentration of early hominin fossils found across this cluster of caves in Gauteng, South Africa.
Is excavation still happening at Sterkfontein?
Yes — the on-site fossil preparation laboratory is an active research facility, and researchers continue to study and date material recovered from the site, including refined analysis of previously found fossils.
What species were Mrs Ples and Little Foot?
Mrs Ples is classified as Australopithecus africanus. Little Foot is classified as Australopithecus prometheus. Both are early hominin species central to understanding the human evolutionary lineage.