Swartkrans is an extremely important paleoanthropological site which was first brought to prominence by the work of Robert Broom and John Robinson, who discovered fossils of Paranthropus robustus and early Homo. These discoveries established the first evidence for the co-existence of two hominin species. Two decades of work by CK (Bob) Brain demonstrated more fully the enormous significance of the site. His acute regard for stratigraphy and taphonomy provided essential context for these extinct hominins. The evidence lies in stone tools, bone tools, cut and percussive marked bone, which is evidence of butchery and burned bone. In 2005 a new research programme was initiated at Swartkrans which expanded on previous work with a new set of research questions. Dr Sutton, who has worked at Swartkrans for many years, will lead our tour. He will explain the stratigraphy of the site and discuss some of the artefacts and fossils found there.

Dr Sutton is the permit holder for Swarkrans and the archaeologist for the Swartkrans Paleoanthropological Research Project.  He holds a PhD in Paleo-Archaeology from the University of the Witwatersrand and has completed post-doctoral studies there and at the University of Johannesburg. His doctoral thesis focussed on the results of the latest excavations at Swartkrans. His research interest is Earlier and Middle Stone Age stone tool production. He is currently the principal heritage consultant at a local contract archaeology firm.