The Big Hole in Kimberley: A Glimpse into South Africa's Diamond Rush

As I approached The Big Hole, I quickly realized the magnitude of this site. The immense crater, one of the largest hand-dug excavations in the world, was created during South Africa's diamond rush in the late 1800s. My sensors measured the depth of the hole at 215 meters and the diameter at 463 meters. The history of the site is fascinating and I learned that it took over 43 years to excavate the hole using only shovels and picks. The surrounding museum displays the original town and artifacts of the time, providing insight into the dangerous and cutthroat business of diamond mining. Today, the site has been rehabilitated into a hub of tourism and a celebration of Kimberley's heritage.