MAN FROM THE FARTHEST PAST 
in the course of mining, at least two large caves led deeply 
into the interior. 
The cave of special interest became known as the bone 
cave. This cave in the course of time had become filled 
with sand, soil, bones of animals, and detritus of various 
kinds, which in turn were impregnated by seepage carry- 
ing in solution mineral matter. This matter formed 
incrustations on the walls, here and there formed new ore 
deposits, and in general consolidated most of the con- 
tents, bones included, into a “paying ore.”’ 
The kopje that yielded the “Rhodesian skull” was situ- 
ated approximately northwest to west of the present 
railroad station and measured about 50 feet in height 
by 250 feet in its longer diameter. This entire elevation 
has now disappeared, and where there was a hill there 1s 
now a deep hole, in and about which mining operations 
are still energetically proceeding. 
Before mining began in this craggy “‘broken” kopje 
there was nothing to indicate the presence of any human 
habitations about the hill, or at least nothing sufficiently 
conspicuous to be noticed. Mining was carried on from the 
side, but due to the condition of the mineral deposits 
work was later commenced also from the top proceeding 
downward. During the earlier operations from the side, 
a good-sized cave or fissure was reached and found to 
contain dirt, ore, and numerous bones. The bones were 
those of animals; if any others were present they were not 
noticed. They were for the most part so mineralized that 
they were smelted with the rest of the ore and, after the 
first flurry occasioned by their discovery, received little 
further attention. . 
When the excavations from the top reached in the cen- 
ter to approximately ninety feet below the surface of the 
ground surrounding the kopje, a large inclined plane was 
opened to the central funnel from near the side at which 
the original work began. At some distance this plane 
once more encountered the large bone crevice that had 
[156] 
ne 
