Keneiloe Molopyane

Keneiloe Molopyane currently works as a scientific researcher at the Centre for Exploration of the Deep Human Journey at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. Her excavation experience ranges from Iron Age/early farming community sites, underwater archaeological sites, and palaeoanthropological sites from the Cradle of Humankind. Molopyane lectured at the University of the Witwatersrand, Archaeology division, before joining the team of “underground astronauts” excavating in the Rising Star cave system in South Africa in search of fossil remains that aid in our understanding of human evolution. To date, Molopyane is the first South African black woman to hold the title of principal investigator for Gladysvale cave, a palaeoanthropological site at the Greater Cradle Nature Reserve in the Cradle of Humankind, South Africa. As part of the core team of the Centre of the Exploration of the Deep Human Journey, Molopyane is currently the lead excavator of the Dragon’s Back expedition, at the Rising Star cave system. Molopyane is also the former curator of the Maropeng and Sterkfontein visitor centers, and Hi-Tec’s Heritage hero 2020. In 2021, she was named one of 15 National Geographic Society Emerging Explorers, and a SuperScientists fictional character, Bones.