Sterkfontein

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Lateral view of “Mrs. Ples,” a 2.7-million-year-old Australopithecus africanus skull found in 1947 at Sterkfontein, South Africa, by anthropologist Robert Broom and originally categorized as Plesianthropus transvaalensis.

Kromdraai, Sterkfontein, and Swartkrans, South Africa, located within the Cradle of Humankind, a region designated a World Heritage site in 1999.

reconstructed replica of “Mrs. Ples,” an Australopithecus africanus skull

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Human Ancestors

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12 Incredible Buildings in South Africa

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Olduvai Gorge or Olduwai Gorge, Tanzania, Africa (eastern Serengeti Plain) Where fossil remains of more than 60 hominins provides the most continuous known record of human evolution. Mary Leakey and Louis Leakey made discoveries here. Archaeology

7 Amazing Historical Sites in Africa

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8 Amazing Physical Features of Africa

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In this aerial photo, structures are damaged and destroyed October 15, 2005 in Balakot, Pakistan. It is estimated that 90% of the city of Balakot was leveled by the earthquake. The death toll in the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck northern Pakistan on October 8, 2005 is believed to be 38,000 with at least 1,300 more dead in Indian Kashmir. SEE CONTENT NOTES.

6 of the World’s Deadliest Natural Disasters

Vietnam War. U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson awards the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant Marty A. Hammer, during a visit to military personnel, Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam, October 26, 1966. President Johnson

Vietnam War Timeline

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The Lost Colony of Roanoke, North Carolina, where 115 people mysteriously disappeared c. 1590. John White discovers the word Croatoan carved onto a tree upon his return to the deserted Roanoke Colony in 1590

The Lost Colony of Roanoke

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The 10 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time

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From Sport to Spectacle: The History of the Super Bowl

African Americans demonstrating for voting rights in front of the White House as police and others watch, March 12, 1965. One sign reads, "We demand the right to vote everywhere." Voting Rights Act, civil rights.

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Sterkfontein: Related Content

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News •

Ancient proteins reveal male Australopithecus africanus, oldest hominin found in Sterkfontein Caves • Feb. 16, 2025, 5:41 AM ET (Jerusalem Post)

Photos

Lateral view of “Mrs. Ples,” a 2.7-million-year-old Australopithecus africanus skull found in 1947 at Sterkfontein, South Africa, by anthropologist Robert Broom and originally categorized as Plesianthropus transvaalensis.

Kromdraai, Sterkfontein, and Swartkrans, South Africa, located within the Cradle of Humankind, a region designated a World Heritage site in 1999.

reconstructed replica of “Mrs. Ples,” an Australopithecus africanus skull

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Topics

archaeology Homo erectus Australopithecus africanus Australopithecus robustus Swartkrans Kromdraai Klasies Makapansgat Carthage Valley of the Kings Great Zimbabwe Abu Simbel Thebes Pyramids of Giza

South Africa

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Temple ruins of columns and statures at Karnak, Egypt (Egyptian architecture; Egyptian archaelogy; Egyptian history)

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