scholarly journals The threat of mine effluent to the UNESCO status of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J F Durand ◽  
J Meeuvis ◽  
M Fourie
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
The World ◽  
Mine Effluent ◽  
Cradle Of Humankind

There is a significant environmental risk posed to the region in which one of the most important and richest archaeological and palaeontological resources is located in South Africa. This area, known as the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage (COHWHS), is situated adjacent to one of the richest gold bearing geological sequence in the world. The mine pollution which is emanating from the mines in the form of acid mine drainage (AMD) is threatening this remarkable resource which has yielded the biggest collection of hominin fossils in the world. The environmental degradation of the COHWHS will have a major impact on the archaeological and palaeontological heritage of not only South Africa, but the world, as well as the tourism, hospitality and education sectors of South Africa. If monitoring, mitigation and management measures are not implemented effectively with immediate effect to avoid or minimise the negative effects, the COHWHS may stand the risk of losing its status and be demoted to the UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger. Ultimately, if the site loses the characteristics that determined its inscription in the World Heritage List, the World Heritage Committee may decide to delete the property from its list.

A summary of the history of exploration at the Sterkfontein Caves in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site

2020 ◽  
pp. 3-7
Author(s):  
J. Francis Thackeray
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Stone Artifacts ◽  
The Third ◽  
Third Phase ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
History Of ◽  
Cradle Of Humankind

Sterkfontein Caves, near Pretoria, South Africa, are part of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. The caves have yielded hundreds of hominin fossils recovered over a period spanning more than a century. Exploration of the deposits has occurred in three phases. In the first phase from 1895–1935, fossils of various animals were recovered unsystematically by limestone miners, who noted fossiliferous breccias. The second phase, from 1936–1966, involved teams led by Robert Broom and John Robinson. Broom and Robinson’s excavations recovered many hominin fossils from Members 4 and 5, stone artifacts, and initial mapping of the Sterkfontein deposits. The third phase, 1966 until the present, included excavations led by Philip Tobias, Alun Hughes, Tim Partridge, Ron Clarke, Kathy Kuman, and Dominic Stratford. During this phase, the six members of the Sterkfontein deposits were recognized and characterized, and additional fossils of hominins and other fauna, as well as stone artifacts were recovered. Importantly, extensive analysis of fauna and paleonvironments was conducted. Hominin fossils were also recovered from Member 2. Considerable geochronological work has been done to characterize the complex stratigraphy and dating of these deposits. This chapter reviews the history of fieldwork at Sterkfontein.

scholarly journals Balung Buto dalam Persepsi Masyarakat Sangiran: Antara Mitos dan Fakta

KALPATARU ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Retno Handini
Keyword(s):  
World Heritage ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Agricultural Fields ◽  
Young Generation ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
The People ◽  
The World ◽  
Way Of Thinking ◽  
The Way

Abstrak. Tulisan ini merupakan kajian tentang “balung buto”, sebuah mitos atau kepercayaan masyarakat yang menghuni wilayah penemuan fosil-fosil purba di Jawa. Penelitian ini difokuskan di Situs Sangiran sebagai Situs Warisan Dunia untuk memahami pola pikir dan persepsi masyarakat penghuni situs dalam memandang keberadaan fosil yang banyak ditemukan di sekitar lahan tegalan atau pekarangan mereka. Metode yang digunakan adalah wawancara mendalam pada masyarakat yang  tinggal di Sangiran. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan walaupun saat ini sudah semakin ditinggalkan dan tidak lagi diturunkan pada generasi muda, namun mitos “balung buto” masih mempengaruhi pola pikir dan perilaku kalangan tertentu yang mempercayainya. Hal tersebut secara langsung ataupun tidak berdampak pada pencarian fosil dan pelestarian situs.Abstract. This article is a study on ‘balung buto’ (which means giant’s bone), a myth or belief shared by the communities that live in areas where prehistoric fossils are found in Java. The study is focused at the World Heritage Site of Sangiran to understand the way of thinking and perception of the inhabitants around the site in viewing the existence of fossils, which are found in abundance on their agricultural fields or house yards. The method used here is insightful interview with the people who live at Sangiran. The study reveals that although believed by less and less people and no longer inherited to the young generation, there are some people who still believe the myth. To them the myth of ‘balung buto’ still influences their pattern of thoughts and behaviour so that directly or indirectly it has impacts on fossil-collecting behaviour and site preservation. 

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