These Oldest Inhabited Termite Mounds Have Been Active for 34,000 Years

Michele Francis, (R), and other researchers, pose for a selfie, next to an ancient termite mound in Namaqualand, South Africa, in this undated photo provided by Stellenbosch University researcher. Michele Francis via AP

CAPE TOWN, South Africa—Scientists in South Africa have been stunned to discover that termite mounds that are still inhabited in an arid region of the country are more than 30,000 years old, meaning they are the oldest known active termite hills.

Some of the mounds near the Buffels River in Namaqualand were estimated by radiocarbon dating to be 34,000 years old, according to the researchers from Stellenbosch University.