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Pleistocene occupation sites of Klasies River, Border Cave, Wonderwerk Cave and comparable sites relating to the emergence of modern humans

Property names are listed in the language in which they have been submitted by the State Party.

South Africa (Africa)
Date of Submission: 30/06/1998
Criteria: (ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)
Category: Cultural
Submitted by: Provincial Heritage Committee
Coordinates: 50 km west of Cape St. Francis Point, Tsitsikamma coast, Humansdorp district
Ref.: 1074

Description

The site is located at the base of a high cliff and comprises of three caves and two shelters. The archaeological deposit has accumulated in the caves and against the cliff face to a thickness of more than 20 metres

The oldest remains of anatomicallymodern humans (Homo sapiens) anywhere in the world were found at the site.

The site also contains some of the oldest, if not the oldest, evidence for the use of marine resources by humans anywhere in the world.