Unearthed in Namaqualand’s Buffels River Valley, these termite mounds, with their ancient origins, represent a rare discovery.
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Dating back 34 000 years, they are recognised as the oldest known active termite mounds ever found.
‘This remarkable discovery by researchers from the Department of Soil Science and Earth Sciences at Stellenbosch University will significantly enhance our understanding of ancient life on Earth,’ said a spokesperson.
The mounds are home to Microhodotermes viator, or the Southern Harvester Termite. Stellenbosch University researchers, in collaboration with the Institute for Nuclear Research in Hungary, not only uncovered a historical archive but also a potential asset for the future.
‘These calcareous termite mounds naturally extract carbon dioxide from the soil and store it, a process known as carbon sequestration,’ explained the researchers. Ongoing studies are exploring whether this process could serve as a strategy to mitigate the effects of global warming.
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Picture: Angie Lazaro / Gallo Images
