In 1998, the world learned that the entire skeleton had been located. The area is a very rich source of fossils and associated fauna and flora, as well as abundant cultural remains. The latter include stone and bone tools and evidence of early use of fire. Over the years, palaeontologists and archaeologists have found a wealth of fossils in the caves. Specialised studies have also been undertaken on the hominid cranial remains, hominid post-cranial remains, fossil horses, fossil carnivores and fossil birds.
Meetings identify issues and concerns of local people.
An ongoing public participation and communication process has been implemented. A series of meetings were held with farmers, land owners, business people, the local community and organisations with an interest in the area to identify and agree on issues and identify concerns that had to be addressed in 1999. These continued throughout the nomination process and, to ensure that the process is as inclusive as possible, the local community was consulted on all main aspects of the programme. In addition to the regular meetings, the Department is developing a list of landowners and residents in the area. In this way, direct, ongoing communication with as large a group of stakeholders as possible is facilitated.