Sterkfontein Caves, outside Johannesburg, Oil on canvas, 150cm x 120cm

Sterkfontein Caves, outside Johannesburg, South Africa

The Sterkfontein Caves are located within the Cradle of Humankind, a region designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. They hold profound significance for fossil finds, with some of the oldest humanoid remains discovered within their depths.

The painting of the closed-off Sterkfontein Caves, inaccessible to the public, captures their mysterious allure. It visually immortalises a site crucial to understanding human evolution and ancient history, emphasising the scientific and archaeological significance of the location and prompting reflection on humanity’s origins and the pursuit of knowledge.

The Little Foot fossil is a rare specimen because it’s a near-complete skeleton of an Australopithecus individual much older than most other human ancestors. The creature, probably an old female, stood about 4 feet tall with long legs suitable for bipedal motion when it lived some 3.67 million years ago.

Called “Little Foot” because the first bones recovered consisted of a few small foot bones, the remains were discovered in a cave in South Africa in the 1990s. Researchers have spent years excavating it from its rock encasement and subjecting it to high-tech analysis. Called “Little Foot” because the first bones recovered consisted of a few small foot bones, the remains were discovered in a cave in South Africa in the 1990s. Researchers have spent years excavating it from its rock encasement and subjecting it to high-tech analysis. The bones proved to be the most complete skeleton of the early hominin lineage leading to humans, with 90% of the body being recovered.