Border Cave

Description

The Border Cave is a large overhang in the Lebombo Mountains in the remote Ingwavuma district, KwaZulu-Natal. These caves are known for being the home of the first known inhabitants of the Elephant Coast some 190 000 years ago. It is one of only a few archaeological sites in the world with a complete stratigraphic record.

More than a million artefacts have been excavated from the site, including the complete skeleton of a baby, the remains of at least five adult hominids, over 69.000 artefacts, and the remains of over 43 mammal species, 3 of which are extinct today. The Lubombo Bone was also found here, the oldest known artefact linked to the basic mathematical activity of counting. Don’t forget to visit the interpretive centre, which has dioramas and models telling the story of prehistoric human existence at the cave, as well as the archaeological excavations since the 1930s.