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The geological setting, cave formation, and stratigraphy of the fossil-bearing deposits at Sterkfontein Caves

Understanding the formation of the Sterkfontein Caves is critical for interpreting the geologic age and patterns of accumulation of the fossils found there. The complex stratigraphy of the caves has been investigated for decades, often yielding conflicting interpretation. Current research at Sterkfontein aims to apply new mutlidisciplinary stratigraphic analyses to new stratigraphically sensitive excavations, thereby providing high-resolution contextual support to recovered assemblages and attempts to increase our understanding of excavated deposit morphology through identification and study of sedimentary and stratigraphic features preserved in the remnants of previous excavations. The Sterkfontein deposits separated into six members, Member 1 to Member 6, of which Member 2, 4, and 5 have yielded hominin remains. Partial collapses and localized erosion of deposits are common, and the spaces created are often filled with sediments from distinct sources, complicating interpretation. This is especially the case with Members 4 and 5. Characterizing taxonomic, morphological, or cultural variability from excavated deposits where no stratigraphy was recognized is difficult but is the subject of ongoing work.