Hand axes like these are found in abundance at the Kathu Townlands site in South Africa. Despite its archaeological richness, the area is under threat from human development. (Credit: Steven James Walker & et al., PLOS ONE)
A new paper documents the rich density of artifacts found in the Kathu Townlands site in the Northern Cape province of South Africa.
The site is dominated by a type of rock called chert that is ideal for making hand axes, small blades and other stone tools, and shows abundant evidence of having been used in this way by early humans. While parts of the area are designated as a National Heritage site, others remain under threat due to an iron mining boom that is leading to rapid expansion of human activity and settlement in the area.
Original research paper published in the PLoS ONE on July 24, 2014.
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