Palæolithic Man in South Africa

Abstract

IN November of 1913 Mr. J. L. Groenewald, a farmer, of Adelaide, C.P., showed me some pieces of fossil bones, explaining that he had obtained them from a friend's farm at Boskop, in the Transvaal. He wanted my opinion as to whether they were human or not. I pronounced them to be portions of a human skull-cap of some very ancient race, and prevailed upon him to give them to me. A subsequent examination, after the parts had been fitted together and measured, made it clear that it was of a race as ancient, or more so, than the Neanderthal or the La Chapelle man. It bears a close resemblance in shape, thickness, and measurements to the former. The skull is as completely fossilised as the Karoo fossil reptiles. That it is of vast antiquity is certain.