100 Years Of the Taung Child shining a light on our heritage and shared origins

This year is the Centenary of the 2.5 million years old Taung Child skull discovery with its legacy in Science and culture honoured throughout the year.

The Australian anatomy professor Raymond Dart received a box shipped from a limestone quarry near Taung in 1924, which included a fossilized mould of a brain and a matching child’s skull partially buried in stone discovered by workers at the mine. Dart who discovered the significance of this groundbreaking discovery wrote an article in the journal Nature identifying a new species: Australopithecus africanus.

The Taung Child’s or Australopithecus Africanus’ discovery radically shifted the understanding of South African researcher’s understanding of human evolution which was later named the Taung Child skull. Early hominids, such as the Australopithecines, grew at a faster rate than modern humans. Belonging to a child who was at a stage of development of a present-day six-year-old, with a brain larger than that of chimpanzees’ but smaller than a human’s, it was a true missing link.

The skulls of Australopithecus africanus and other discovered hominins shed light on the lives of our ancestors. The Taung skull discovery site is officially part of the UNESCO Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site and a monument has been erected to mark the location. Nearby, an abandoned mine tunnel has been opened for exploration, allowing visitors to venture into the age-old limestone mountains.

Located in the Bophirima district of the North West province, the Taung Heritage Route is an initiative of South Africa’s National Heritage Council.

Dr Mirriam Tawane the NHC’s Research Manager joined other leading researchers from South Africa’s universities at the Taung Child Turns 100 Webinar to commemorate the century of the Taung Child to examine how it impacted history, science and the community where it was found and further look ahead at what the future holds for uncovering answers about human evolution.

“More than a scientific milestone, this anniversary is a tribute to our heritage, history and shared African roots. The Taung skull story is one needs that needs to be told by South Africans, for South Africans, and from South Africa. We need to honour the mine workers that discovered the skull at the quarry and to sustainably develop the rich Heritage Tourism that lies in the area.

Centenary Commemorations of the Taung Child will extend throughout the year, including museum exhibits, educational materials, dialogues, podcast series, and public events. Stay tuned to the socials for updates!