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Cradle of Humankind. Done by Jaime de carvalho. Historical Background. 2.3 Billion years ago there were coral reefs which died and a few million years later turned into limestone which then transformed into a crystalline rock called dolomite.
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Cradle of Humankind Done by Jaime de carvalho
Historical Background 2.3 Billion years ago there were coral reefs which died and a few million years later turned into limestone which then transformed into a crystalline rock called dolomite. After another few million years the water receded acidic water dissolved the calcium carbonate from the dolomite forming underground caverns. When the water levels dropped and the caverns were exposed The percolation (the movement of water through pores in the soil and permeable rock) of acidic water also dissolved the calcium carbonate and into the caverns, this formed stalactites and stalagmites. The erosion of the earths surface and dissolution of dolomite formed shafts between the earths surface and caverns below. Plants, animals and hominids fell into the caves and died, they became fossils.
Facts It takes up 47 000 hectares of land. It is mostly located in Gauteng. Some places in the cradle of humankind are privately owned. The cradle of humankind has produced over 850 hominid fossils.
Things to do Click on the link below to see what things you can do at the cradle of humankind http://www.sa-venues.com/things-to-do/gauteng/region/cradle-of-humankind/
