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Scientists in South Africa have discovered that termite mounds near the Buffels River in Namaqualand are more than 30,000 years old, making them the oldest known active termite hills. Some of the mounds were estimated by radiocarbon dating to be 34,000 years old. These mounds predate even some of the earliest cave paintings in Europe and the existence of saber-toothed cats and woolly mammoths. Previously, the oldest inhabited termite mounds were found in Brazil and were around 4,000 years old.
The termite mounds in Namaqualand are compared to an “apartment complex” and have been consistently inhabited by termite colonies. The mounds are a unique and ancient landscape that has been preserved for thousands of years. Some of the largest mounds, known as “heuweltjies,” can measure around 100 feet across and are 10 feet deep underground.
The research on these termite mounds provides insights into prehistoric climates and demonstrates the termites’ role in capturing and storing carbon, which can help offset climate change and benefit the soil. The mounds support the growth of wildflowers in an arid region that receives little rainfall.
The study highlights the importance of further research on termite mounds for understanding climate change, sustaining ecosystems, and potentially improving agricultural practices. By studying what termites have done in these ancient mounds, scientists hope to learn valuable lessons that could have practical implications for environmental conservation and agriculture.
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